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Highlights from our 60th anniversary year

Blog - 19/02/2025

On 20 February 1964, a small group of trailblazers got together and set a course that would become Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Here we are 60 years later. Check out a few of the highlights from our 60th year.

February

We celebrated our 60th birthday on the 20th of February 2024, and landmarks lit up in yellow across the country.

March

We launched a report about growing older with CF.
Alongside the Prescription Charges Coalition, we visited the Department of Health and Social Care to hand in a letter calling for the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, Andrea Leadsom, to freeze prescription charges for 2024 and 2025 and review the exemption list.
The UK CF Clinical Trials Conference took place in Leeds.
Harvey (60) and Hazel (58), a brother and sister from Scotland, told us their story.
Jade, a character with cystic fibrosis, became a main plotline in Eastenders.

April

Emma Stewart (43), believed to be the first woman with CF to run the London Marathon, celebrated the 20th anniversary of her first marathon by setting up the Tichborne Team Marathon, raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Charlotte, who featured in our No Days Off campaign

May

We launched our third national awareness campaign, No Days Off, with data showing 1 in 3 people with CF worry about their health every day.
Vicky (53), who received a double-lung transplant 25 years ago, told us her story.
We pledged over £2m to address research priorities of people with CF.
We worked with national media, including the Financial Times, to raise awareness of the impact the Creon shortage is having.

June

The ECFS took place in Glasgow. Meanwhile, we talked to 70-year-old Glaswegian Paul, who has CF.
The Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards returned for its tenth year, funding seven business ideas from people with CF.
The CF Mamas and Papas took on #Skip4CF, a skipping challenge to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Our latest Your Life and CF survey showed that 43% of people with CF worry about the future every day.
Shanique shared her eight-month-old son Thiago’s story for CF Week.
We joined Bowel Research UK to release a special episode of their podcast, Can I Butt In?, for CF Week, discussing the connection between cystic fibrosis and bowel conditions.
NICE permanently approved Kaftrio, Symkevi and Orkambi on the NHS in England, following many years of campaigning by the Trust and the CF community.

July

We released our new diagnosis resource, Cystic fibrosis diagnosis and your baby: a guide for families.
Permanent access to modulator treatments is agreed in Scotland.

August

CTAP reached its 4,000th research study enrolment.
We partnered with Emily’s Entourage so people in the UK who are not able to benefit from current modulators can be alerted of relevant trial opportunities.

September

We published a 60th anniversary edition of CF Life magazine, featuring Rob on the front cover. Rob was also on the cover of our 30th anniversary edition.

October

We partnered with medical research charity LifeArc to fund a £15m Translational Innovation Hub Network programme.
Duane, whose son Xander has CF and cannot benefit from modulators, shared his family’s story for our Christmas campaign.

November

We were joined by Richard Madeley as we celebrated the outstanding efforts of the CF community with our 60th anniversary awards.

December

We celebrated Christmas with the 22nd Carols by Candlelight, as well as heading over to Luton where Antony, better known as Mr Christmas, held his final festive light display in support of the Trust after 23 years. Antony featured on the One Show, and was named one of Jeremy Vine’s Christmas Stars.
Ahead of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special, James Corden and Ruth Jones supported one of our fundraisers in Wales.

January

Team CF launched an exciting new event at Harewood House in Leeds.
Our Trustee, Sophie, spoke on Woman’s Hour ahead of her 3,200 mile Atlantic Row. She hopes to become the first person with CF to row an ocean and is raising money for the Trust.

A big thank you to everyone who has helped us mark our 60th anniversary year, and everyone who has been by our side over the past six decades.

With your support, we can continue our work funding groundbreaking research, providing world-class information, campaigning for change, and supporting our community every step of the way.

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