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5 ways your cuppa can make a difference this FeBrewary
1. It can help us to fund research into life-changing treatments that work for everyone with cystic fibrosis, so that nobody in our community is left behind
Isaac is 17 and has a rare CF mutation which means he can’t benefit from CFTR modulators like Kaftrio. Research into treatments for those not able to benefit from current CFTR modulators is one of the top research priorities recently chosen by the cystic fibrosis community. Thanks to your incredible support this FeBrewary, we can stay at the cutting edge of CF research, making ground-breaking discoveries that change lives for the better. £400 could pay for a day’s worth of essential laboratory materials at one of our Strategic Research Centres, helping scientists to develop new treatments for everyone with CF.
“There is no day off from the hours of CF treatments, but we still laugh, dance and find joy in all the wonderful aspects of life with our amazing boy and feel greatly optimistic that current research will award him a much better quality of life in future. It is reassuring to know that there is research being done by the Trust to develop treatments to help Isaac and the other people with CF for whom the new CTFR modulators do not work for. We desperately need research to continue until the day when CF can stand for Cure Found. ”
Isaac's mum Lizzy
2. It can ensure our Helpline team can support even more people in the CF community when they need it most
In 2021/22, our Helpline team responded to over 4,200 enquiries from the CF community on a huge range of topics, from coping with a new diagnosis to supporting you through the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the problem, our team were there for everybody with CF when they needed us most.
According to our recent survey, 100% of people who used our Helpline said they felt heard and understood, were very satisfied with the help they received, and would recommend our Helpline service. 87% felt less stressed and anxious after talking to us and 93% said they felt more confident dealing with the problem that they were facing.
“The gentleman I spoke to on the Helpline was extremely helpful and gave me the accurate and precise information I was looking for. He followed it up by email, sending me the information and answering my further questions. He was patient, kind and generous with his time and knowledge and I appreciate that enormously.” – Helpline user
3. It can help us continue to be there for people with CF and their families in tough financial times
We have recently seen an increase in the demand for our Emergency Grants to help those who are struggling to eat properly, heat their home or buy the household essentials they need to stay well. In 21/22, we provided over 940 grants, totalling over £292,000.
Our grants supported people with CF like Jackson. Jackson is 5 years old and lives with his grandmother in an isolated rural area in a cold part of the UK, in a house that has coal-fired heating. The family had been moved onto Universal Credit and were in the ‘five week wait’ for their first payment. Their CF social worker was concerned about the weather turning colder and felt Jackson could be at increased risk of infection if the house was cold. They were also worried he would go without adequate food until the Universal Credit payments started. We provided an emergency grant of £150 to ensure there was coal and suitable food in the house, protecting Jackson’s health and reducing stress and worry for his grandmother.
With your support this FeBrewary, we can help make sure no family in the CF community struggles to pay their bills this winter.
4. It can help us to develop the research talent of tomorrow
Since 2013 we’ve funded 113 early career researchers, ensuring the brightest and best scientists have the opportunity to work in CF research and be at the forefront of breakthroughs and discoveries that change lives for the better.
Lucia Nicosia is an early career researcher studying for her PhD in Dr Patrick Harrison’s lab at University College Cork in Ireland. They’re part of the Trust’s ‘Therapeutic gene editing’ SRC led by Professor Stephen Hart. “Our research is giving people with CF hope, and I think that’s just incredible,” says Lucia.
5. It could help a person with CF’s dreams come true by empowering them to turn their passion into a career
Whether it’s dog grooming or baking, scriptwriting or gaming, through our Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards we provide people with CF with a grant to help boost their business idea and access expert support and guidance to turn their dreams into a reality. £1,000 could help a person with CF follow their dreams and live the life they want to.
“Being chosen as a winner of the fund was an incredible feeling and made me very proud of the work we put into our application. As a twist of fate, I was actually in the hospital when I received the call, and it was wonderful to be able to share it with the team there,” says Jonathan, filmmaker and recent winner of Helen Barrett Award.
“Scriptwriting has helped me see a light at the end of the tunnel, an opportunity to actually do something with my life, to finally be able to dream. Regardless of what happens with this project, I am so incredibly grateful to the Helen Barrett Awards for giving me a chance to do what I love.”
Make your cuppa count this FeBrewary! Host a tea party and raise vital funds, so we can continue to be there for everyone with CF.
Join us in FeBrewary
Join us this FeBrewary, hold your own tea party and raise vital funds to make sure everyone with cystic fibrosis can live a life unlimited.