#CFTruths
Cystic fibrosis is an invisible condition. You can’t see it or what it does to the body. But it’s not invisible to the 10,800 people in the UK whose lives are dominated by it every single day. The challenge of living with cystic fibrosis is invisible. Except to the ones who live it.
Over 10,800 people in the UK are living with cystic fibrosis (CF), but the condition is still widely misunderstood.
You are born with CF and cannot catch it later in life, but one in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing. The gene affected by CF controls the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. People with CF experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body.
You’ll never see the hours coughing. Or the hours laughing. You’ll never see the mountain of pills I’ve taken. The hours of physio. You’ll just see me. See me grow. See me cough sometimes. See me try and live a life unlimited.
– Keiron, who has CF
How you can get involved
Speak out and share your CF truth. You can download our social media graphics and help others understand what everyday life is like for people with CF. Remember to tag us @cftrustuk and use the hashtag #CFTruths to join the conversation.
Stay in touch. Sign up to our monthly enewsletter for all the latest CF news, personal stories and different ways you can get involved in our work.
Donate. With your help, we can fund vital research and ensure everybody with CF can live a life unlimited.
Start a conversation. Starting a conversation with friends, family or colleagues about CF can raise vital awareness. If you’re struggling to find the right words, our Talking Toolkit has some tips that might help.
CF: Know your facts
Learn more about CF, including how it is diagnosed, how it's treated, how it affects the body and what causes it.
Talking toolkit
Tips, blogs and resources to help you start conversations about CF.