Kerrie Rowe is urging people to support Cystic Fibrosis Australia. 47850
By Casey Neill
MONBULK mum Kerrie Rowe often struggles to breathe and will soon need new lungs.
But sympathy is the last thing she’s after.
Mrs Rowe last week shared her story with the Mail to support Cystic Fibrosis Australia’s 65 Roses Day which was held on 28 May.
The organisation relies on donations to fund research and support for sufferers of cystic fibrosis (CF).
The genetic disease causes thick mucus to clog the lungs, pancreas, bowel and liver.
For Mrs Rowe, this means digestive troubles and chronic chest infections that require up to four ‘tune ups’ in The Alfred hospital each year.
“That involves IV drugs usually for about a two week period,” she said.
Mrs Rowe exercises for two hours each day in a bid to remain as healthy as possible.
Good nutrition, meditation, a positive attitude and inhaled antibiotics also keep her as well as possible. “Some days it’s a struggle to breathe and that’s a challenge,” she said.
“But I’m pretty determined so it’s not like I notice it. I’m used to it. It’s certainly debilitating.”
Mrs Rowe was diagnosed with CF at the age of 13.
She’s now facing the prospect of a double lung transplant.
“But I think I feel just really, really lucky to have the opportunity to have a second chance,” she said.
Mrs Rowe said Cystic Fibrosis Australia had been a fantastic support. “I just bought a new pump for my inhaler and they covered the cost of that.
“They’ll cover costs towards gym memberships. They’re amazing,” she said.
“There are people who have got no money and multiple children with CF and it’s very costly being sick.”
She said more publicity and funding for the foundation were needed. “I think it’s more focussed on diabetes and childhood cancer whereas we’re up there with the seriousness but nothing in the attention that the others do get – or the funding,” she said.
“We need to get behind that and really make sure there’s a change.”
Mrs Rowe also urged people to consider organ donation.
“I know it’s a tragic thing to lose someone and donate their organs but they can’t take them with them,” she said.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia’s CEO Terry Stewart said repeated chest infections damaged CF sufferers’ lungs “meaning that the older these kids become, the harder it is to breathe”, he said.
“Without a cure, often the only chance they have of surviving is to eventually have a lung transplant.”
The life expectancy for a CF sufferer is 37. A child is born with CF every four days.
The red rose is the symbol for CF and the 65 Roses name was adopted from a small child’s effort to pronounce his sister’s condition.
Readers can buy wristbands, pins, pens and other merchandise from participating LJ Hooker offices. Call 1800 635 008 or visit www.65rosesday.org.au to support the 65 Roses Day Appeal.
