Viewing entries in
Fundraising

2 Comments

Breathe with Me - New Single in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

"Breathe with Me", my new single to raise funds for Ireland's national charity for people with cystic fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. The song hopes to convey, in a creative and original way, what life is like for a person with cystic fibrosis. The single can be downloaded here for €2, with all proceeds raised going to support the charity's work in the provision of services to help people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. Preview song here

There are approximately 1,200 people living with cystic fibrosis in Ireland today and Ireland has the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis per head of population in the world, with three times the rate of the United States and the rest of the European Union. Indeed, in Ireland we have some of the most severe types of cystic fibrosis. 

"How do I feel when my life stands still?"
Mary Duff has been an ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland for a number of years and leads its annual international walk which will take place in Montenegro later this September. 
"Cystic fibrosis really is a cause close to my heart. In my ambassador role for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, I have made friends with so many people who know first-hand the day-to-day struggles of people with cystic fibrosis and how it can be a never-ending cycle of medications, antibiotics, nebulisers, physiotherapy and hospital visits. With this song, we wanted to get across that while, for most of us, breathing is something that we can thankfully take for granted, for a person with cystic fibrosis, it can be such a huge challenge. The song, which was originally written by a group of people in the UK with connections to people with cystic fibrosis, aims to give an insight into what that life is like. 
"We need to do all that we can to support people with cystic fibrosis by raising awareness, providing support and investing in research so that life doesn't always have to be this way. I hope that people will like the song enough that they will want to purchase it but, more than that, I hope that they will want to buy it because they want to lend their support to a very worthy cause."


I'm continuing my nationwide Irish tour during September. Come on out to hear the new single!

Upcoming dates include:
Wednesday September 9: Harvey's Point, Donegal
Thursday September 10: The Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co. Cavan
Saturday September 12: Castlelyons Community Centre, Castlelyons, Co. Cork
Sunday September 13: The Gleneagles Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Wednesday September 16: Harvey's Point, Donegal
Friday September 18: The Dominican Church, Drogheda, Co. Louth

For more information on the work of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and the supports available to people with cystic fibrosis and their families, please visit www.cfireland.ie or telephone LoCall 1890 311 211.
Nuala McAuley, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, tel.: 01 4962433 or email nmcauley@cfireland.ie
Don Delaney, d2 communications, tel.: 087 7933249 or email don@d2communications.ie

About Cystic Fibrosis Ireland
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is the leading national organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with cystic fibrosis and their families across Ireland. It does this through providing information, advice and advocacy to people and their families, offering grant assistance, undertaking research, funding state-of-the-art dedicated cystic fibrosis health facilities, and advancing the development of lung transplantation in Ireland. There are approximately 1,200 people with cystic fibrosis living in Ireland and approximately 35 new cases were diagnosed in 2013, the most recent year for which official figures are available.

 What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic Fibrosis—or CF—is Ireland’s most common life-threatening inherited disease. CF is a genetic disorder. It is not contagious, rather people are born with it. Approximately 1 in 19 people are carriers of the CF gene and when two carriers have a child there is a one in four chance of a child being born with it. CF affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, pancreas, digestive tract and reproductive system. It causes thick sticky mucus to be produced, blocking the bronchial tubes and preventing the body's natural enzymes from digesting food. Ireland has the highest prevalence and the most severe types of cystic fibrosis in the world.

2 Comments

1 Comment

Paddy Kierans Memorial Walk for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI).

I am honoured to be a Patron of the Paddy Kierans Memorial Walk for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI)

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inheritedchronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein cause the body to produce a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, causing life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas, preventing natural enzymes helping the body to break down and absorb food.  The impact of CF can vary from one person to another. Ireland has the highest prevalence of Cystic Fibros is in the World and has the most severe forms of Cystic Fibrosis in the World. The life expectancy of a person with CF ranges worldwide due to access to treatments, but in Ireland the predicted median age of survival is early to mid 30s. 

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland was set up in 1963 to increase knowledge and awareness of CF and to provide information,  services & support to people with CF and their families.  Today CFI is the leading national organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with cystic fibrosis and their families across Ireland.  It does this through providing information, advice and advocacy, offering grant assistance,  undertaking research,  funding state-of-the-art dedicated cystic fibrosis health facilities, and advancing the development of lung transplantation in Ireland.  

Fundraising is a vital source of income for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and the Paddy Kierans Memorial Walk is a key fundraising event. The walk takes place annually in various locations across Europe in September 2014, I took part in my first walk to Austria. I joined 33 people on the Walk to the 

Sound of Music and can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only did we raise much needed funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland to support people with cystic fibrosis and their families, but we had a great time doing it and made many new friends. This year the walk takes place in Montenegro and I am delighted to once again be taking part. If you would like to join me on the Paddy Kierans Memorial Walk to Montenegro which takes place from September 27th to October 4th, click here to download the application form or contact Nuala in Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on (01)496 2433 or email: nmcauley@cfireland.ie

2015 is the 21st anniversary of the Paddy Kierans Walk so I can guarantee it will be a special occasion to be a part of. 

Thank you all so very much for your support. Be sure to check back here for regular updates on my involvement with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. 

GET INVOLVED -Like and Share Event on Facebook or CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Below are some images of the 2014 Walk to the Sound of Music in Austria. If you are unable to take part, you can support this fantastic fundraiser by donating to my fundraising page

Mary

1 Comment