I first read about Kaitlyn at an article in the local paper. Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis several weeks after she was born. A lot of people are not aware what Cystic Fibrosis is, yet..
Did you know that?
- one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis
- 60% of people with cystic fibrosis are diagnosed in the first year of life, and 90% by age 10
- 3,600 children, adolescents and adults attend specialized cystic fibrosis clinics
- one in 25 Canadians carries a defective version of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis
- more than 50% of people with CF carry two copies of the most common cystic fibrosis mutation, ΔF508
- more than 85% of all people with cystic fibrosis carry at least one copy of ΔF508
- there are over 1,700 mutations in the gene responsible for CF
- in the 1960s, most children with cystic fibrosis did not live long enough to attend kindergarten
- today, half of all Canadians with cystic fibrosis are expected to live into their 40s and beyond
- the number of Canadian adults with cystic fibrosis (aged 18+) surpasses the number of children with CF
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis. CF is a multi-organ disease, primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system. A build-up of thick mucus in the lungs causes severe breathing problems. It may be difficult to clear bacteria from the lungs, leading to cycles of infection and inflammation, which damage the delicate lung tissues.
Thick mucus also blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food. People with CF must consume a large amount of artificial enzymes (average 20 pills a day) with every meal and snack, to help digest and absorb adequate nutrition from food.
**** Source: Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
And now... some highlights of our session today! :)
... and.. Merry Christmas!!! :) Exactly a month away from today! :)
