BBQ in aid of Cystic Fibrosis
Great Food – Live entertainment – a family fun evening
Live music by Drombue Hill
with special guest Stephen Murphy
(winner of Pobalscoil’s got Talent 2010)
Sunday 22nd August at Farrell’s, Summerfield from 5pm.

What is Cystic Fibrosis ?
Cystic Fibrosis (also called mucoviscidosis) is Ireland’s most common life-threatening inherited disease. Approximately 1 in 19 people are carriers of the CF gene and where two carriers parent a child together, there is a 1 in 4 chance of the baby being born with Cystic Fibrosis.

CF affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, the pancreas, the digestive tract and the reproductive system. It causes a thick sticky mucus to be produced, blocking the bronchial tubes and preventing the body’s natural enzymes from digesting food.

Cystic Fibrosis primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system.

A build up of mucus can make it difficult to clear bacteria and leads to cycles of lung infections and inflammation, which can eventually lead to damage of the lungs.

CF can also make it difficult to digest and absorb adequate nutrients from food. Mucus blocks the duct of the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food.

As a result, persons with CF must consume artificial enzymes with food, to help them absorb adequate nutrition from their food. They must also follow a demanding daily routine of physical therapy to keep the lungs free of congestion and infection.

Additional organ systems involved are the reproductive tract and the sweat glands. Other organ systems may be involved to leser degrees.

The result is that people with CF are prone to constant chest infections and malnutrition. However as therapeutic options have expanded over the last decade, significant advances have been achieved in both life expectancy and quality of life.