Red Rose Day for cystic fibrosis research
On Friday October 19, Cystic Fibrosis Australia will hold Red Rose Day to raise money for research into Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
The gene which causes CF was discovered in 1989 but at the recent fourth Australia and New Zealand Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Professor Brandon Wainwright of the University of Queensland posed the question: 'Twelve years after the discovery of the Cystic Fibrosis gene, why don't we have gene therapy?'
At the same conference, Dr Pamela Davis of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, said that multiple strategies are under investigation and that a therapy to control the basic defect of CF will be a reality in her professional lifetime.
In the meantime, the more patients who can be kept well using vigorous conventional treatments, aggressive monitoring and meticulous medical care, the more patients will benefit from a cure when it comes.
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
CF affects the lungs and digestive system. It is the most common serious genetic condition in Australian children today, affecting one in every 2,500 babies.
In CF, the mucous glands cause normal mucus to change to a thick sticky substance. This mucus clogs the tiny passages in the lungs and traps bacteria. Repeated infections and blockages can cause irreversible lung damage and death.
The pancreas is also impaired, preventing the release of enzymes which are needed for the digestion of food. People with CF must have vigorous chest physiotherapy each day and take up to 40 tablets to replace digestive enzymes.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) CEO Terry Stewart said: ‘Australia is known to have the best researchers in the world. There is a real opportunity here for us to be the first country to find a way of controlling CF but we must have more money for research projects.'
'CFA aims to raise $3 million for the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust and will use Red Rose Day on Friday October 19 to kick off the appeal. A red rose is the national symbol for CF and red rose ribbons and tattoo transfers will be on sale throughout Australia at Soul Pattinson chemists and branches of national CF sponsor LJ Hooker,' Mr Stewart said.
And the red rose theme is continuing throughout October with the Rosemobile, a 1972 Holden HQ panel van with a huge red rose on top, which will travel around the country this month distributing red rose ribbons and red rose tattoos in a bid to raise public awareness of CF and help raise funds for research.
Last Reviewed: 16 October 2001
