For those living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), exercise is an important part of living a full life.
EPIC Assist (EPIC) recently supported CF in Tasmania and Queensland with community grants to support their venture and help children with cystic fibrosis to live happy and healthy lifestyles.
Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania spokesperson Paula Wriedt said the organisation wants to develop a program to help pay sports registration costs for children who have cystic fibrosis.
“CF is a chronic, life-shortening illness for which there is no cure. Exercise is an important part of keeping the airways of a person with the CF clear of thick sticky mucus that leads to infections and decreased lung function.
“This community grant will be used to provide financial help for sports registration costs for families who have children with CF such as Matilda (pictured).”
Despite the challenges that CF presents, Matilda, 12, is a keen athlete and particularly loves running. When she runs, her lungs are working much harder than anyone else’s because of her decreased lung function, yet she doesn’t let this hold her back. Recently Matilda completed in a Southern schools cross country championship in Tasmania, and despite having come out of hospital only days before, she took 1.68 seconds off her personal best time. EPIC’s community grant will help Matilda’s mum with the costs of supporting her love of athletics and encourage her to keep going.
Cystic Fibrosis Queensland CEO, Petrina Fraccaro, said the organisation works closely with clinicians to increase member adherence to health care plans.
“If you are living with CF you need to exercise daily to remove the sticky mucus that lines your lungs. Exercising is far more enjoyable when it is something that you choose to do,” said Petrina.
“This community grant will be used to help fund an annual subsidy of $150 per member to put towards an exercise regime of their choice. This annual subsidy helps to ease the financial burden and encourage an active lifestyle.
“As a small charity, we do all that we can to ensure that short lives are lived BIG.”
EPIC is proud to support Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania and Queensland.
If you would like to apply for a community grant, check out EPIC’s website to see if your organisation is eligible.