Cystic Fibrosis organisations in Australia provide support and services to people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and their carers and families. This is complemented by a commitment to research and a quality improvement program focussing on improved clinical care for people with CF.
Every four days a baby is born in Australia with cystic fibrosis (CF) and more than one million Australians are carriers of cystic fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) is committed to improving clinical practice and patient outcomes through its quality improvement programmes and research with the aim of extending life expectancy from 47 to 55 years by 2025.
Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive genetic condition. It primarily affects the lungs and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system, responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus.
In addition to working for a cure, Cystic Fibrosis Australia also provides support and advocacy to improve the lives of people with cystic fibrosis. Get involved by raising awareness about CF, participating in a fundraising event or volunteering.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia has established a consistent approach to advocacy across Australia and is now a subject matter expert for government, industry and the media.
The Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust (ACFRT) is managed by Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA). Since 1989 it has funded more than 300 projects valued at over $6,000,000.
Visit the media room to browse through number of resources including media representatives, press releases and reports.
Perhaps no other area presents a vista of co-morbidities as wide and pressing as mental health. We know that there are (cited) specific reasons why cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with risks for depression and anxiety, however these states of adversity touch the lives of all human beings in one way or another.
The recent COVID-19 Pandemic saw the whole of society managing forced isolation and removal from loved ones. We know this can be a regular occurrence for people with CF and a trigger for depression and anxiety.
Cystic fibrosis has also been associated with heightened risk for insufficient or interrupted sleep patterns, and these can lead to a host of medical problems up to and including shortened life expectancy.
When Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) advocates for increased awareness and attention to the mental health risk factors of cystic fibrosis we try to bring attention to the fact that physical illnesses, especially chronic and non-visible physical illnesses, can be a hidden malefactor in the fight against mental illness as well.
The individual living with cystic fibrosis is not the only one at risk from its effects – indeed, family members and even close friends have been found to exhibit increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety.
Conquering CF co-morbidities means fighting inside ourselves for freedom from fear and hopelessness. The resources below are simply the brightest nodes in a network which connects all afflicted, forgotten, anguished or invisible individuals in their struggle for happiness and contentment.
CF and Mental Health:
https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/what-we-do/mental-health/mhr-community
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2019/02/05/bullying-cf-symptoms/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2019/02/21/self-worth-not-linked-sick-leave-work/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2019/03/07/fear-failure/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2019/04/12/miracle-cf-medication-hasnt-worked-orkambi-symdeko/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2020/02/24/cf-yogi-offers-free-live-streamed-weekly-classes-bolster-lung-health-healing-energy/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472519/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2016/12/16/exercise-overcome-age-genetics-cf-mental-health/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2018/06/26/ecfs2018-addressing-mental-health-issues-key-cf-patients-experts-say/
CF and Sleep Risk:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(19)30412-1/fulltext
Pain and addiction:
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2018/03/13/cf-patients-pain-management-training-absurd/
Complimentary therapies:
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2014/05/16/cystic-fibrosis-foundations-peppermint-oil-nebulizers-warning-well-founded-teen-researchers-findings-merit-investigation/