Mother, son take up CF challenge

Cystic Fibrosis will be centre stage this Friday when a fundraiser will be held to raise money and awareness for the disorder.

Locals Brooke Murphy and her 14-year-old-son Brodie Coulter both live with the disorder and have organised a fundraising event, which will be held at the Deanmill Workers Club from 6pm.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder a thick and sticky mucus forms in the lungs, airways and the digestive system and has no cure.

“Our days consist of taking between 30-40 tablets a day each, plus 1-2 hours of physical therapy treatments,” Ms Murphy said.

“We have to be careful with what we eat and we have to steer clear of people with colds.

“It is very isolating.”

Ms Murphy said Cystic Fibrosis used to be called the “childhood disease” because in years past, people with the disease would not live past their teen years.

“I’m 37 now and I own it proudly, every year is another celebration,” she said.

Friday’s fundraiser will include live music from Velvet Edge, playing from 8pm, auctions, raffles, marron races, food and roses for sale.

Roses are the official symbol of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day and the official colour is purple, which Ms Murphy encouraged people to wear if they wanted.