I’m supporting Cystic Fibrosis Trust to one day help make CF a distant memory

My name is Kieran, I am 27 years old and I have cystic fibrosis. I have a rare gene which wasn’t compatible for any of the new life-changing medications, until the start of 2025 when I was given Alyftrek.

I wish people understood what CF is really like

In 2025 I became really ill as I had allergic Aspergillosis, which is an exaggerated immune reaction to common Aspergillus mould, mostly affecting people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. This was when my lung function dropped to 20%. I was placed on the transplant list and I was also put on a high dose of steroids.

With the help of my family and my CF team I was able to increase my lung function slowly and surprised my CF team with getting all the way back up to where I was at before the reaction.

I’ve had some other health problems too. In 2023, I went blind in my left eye and started getting built up pressure in the back of the eye. After failed treatments and a lot of pain, I made the decision to have my eye removed. You can now see me sporting a terminator eye which turns everyone's heads – but I try to never let anything get me down.

I wish more people understood how hard it is to find balance when you have CF, particularly when it comes to a social life. You’re constantly juggling meds and keeping yourself fit and healthy. That can be really tough at times.

My fitness journey

I have always been in to fitness and even have level 2 and level 3 qualifications in personal training. I have now started my journey in Muay Thai boxing and had my first fight in January 2026. I have also taken a big step and decided to train in mixed martial arts (MMA) as well. 

With both sports and using the gym, as well as jogging, biking and swimming, I try and fight my condition every day so I can live a longer life and make memories with my loving wife and family. I never would have got this far in life without the support of my family who are with me every step of the way.

I want to still be enjoying life at 80!

The reason I want to take part in the Great North Run for Cystic Fibrosis Trust is to help raise money to fund research and support that saves lives, and hopefully one day CF will be a distant memory. The Trust have supported me all my life and it’s thanks to them, I can think about living my life to the full. 

A life unlimited for me would be able to get out of bed on my bad days and not constantly have to worry and panic about when I might have to be in hospital. My hope is that I can still be here when I’m 80-years-old rocking around and just being able to enjoy life. 

Make a difference

Get involved in Wear Yellow Day 2026 and, like Keiran, you can help fund the research and support that changes lives. 

Sign up today