Helping Kiwi Families With CF Breathe A Little Easier

As New Zealand emerges from the hibernation of winter,
Cystic Fibrosis NZ has launched their
Sweatember Fundraiser,
incorporating their new proxy for kindness, FRED
Bear a.k.a Sweaty
Freddy.

Sweatember is about
using everyday activities to get moving and sweaty in
support of people living with the cruelness of cystic
fibrosis (CF). The introduction of Sweaty Freddy brings a
fresh, fun, and energetic vibe to inspire New Zealand’s
youth to get active during September.

Lisa Burns,
Chief Executive from Cystic Fibrosis NZ says “Sweatember
has grown by 20% over the last two years with a groundswell
of public support and we’re aiming to make 2022 even
bigger. Our goal is to sign up 350 individuals and groups
working together to raise $200,000 that will help us
continue to provide New Zealand’s CF community with vital
wellbeing support services.”

“Exercise is a
fundamental component of the CF treatment regime now and
will continue to be even when Trikafta becomes accessible
for our CF community.” says Lisa.

Cystic fibrosis
affects all the exocrine glands which includes the sweat
glands. People with CF lose more salt when sweating, and
their sweat is two to five times saltier. From an early age,
movement is encouraged, and new parents are taught how to
make sure exercise becomes a consistent part of treatment
because it aids in clearing mucous from the lungs.

CF
is a cruel condition and there is no cure, but research
shows that regular physical activity can improve the daily
lives of those with CF, with benefits that extend beyond
lung function. Staying fit helps to strengthen bone and
muscle, manage diabetes, improve sleep quality, and heart
health, build stamina, and lift mood.

“Demanding
daily treatment regimes and a decline in health can be
draining making it more difficult to exercise. Our Breath 4
CF physical activity grant is available to every person with
CF in Aotearoa helping to motivate and ease some of the
financial barriers.” says Lisa.

Individuals and
families living with CF face an immense emotional, physical,
and financial toll every single day. OJ Daniels from Rotorua
says “Living with CF can get hard but also quite expensive,
especially as things get worse. Things got worse for me, but
after being accepted into the Vertex Managed Access
Programme for Trikafta a few months ago, my life did a
complete 180. Suddenly I’ve got the energy to workout
daily and now the opportunity to participate in CFNZ
Sweatember 2022 to help fundraise for fellow CF families who
need it. As a bonus I get to stay fit and tackle physio all
in one.”

Cystic Fibrosis NZ receives less than 4
percent government funding and relies on the generosity of
New Zealanders to meet the ongoing needs of their community.
Over the month of September, families, whānau, friends,
businesses, schools, sports and community groups are invited
to participate in Sweatember by signing up, and make their
sweat count.

Every dollar raised from Sweatember is
channelled back into local communities through CFNZ physical
activity grants, vouchers and allowances for hospital
admissions, welfare assistance, medical equipment, help with
lung transplant costs, and when necessary, end of life
support.

“Sweatember is so important to CFNZ and our
community. It’s so much more than a fundraiser, it’s
about supporting and encouraging our CF community to tackle
some goals, it’s truly about hauora, and the four
dimensions of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual
wellbeing.” says Lisa.

Sweatember takes place 1 –
30 September 2022

Visit
sweatember.org.nz

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