Cystic Fibrosis Ireland Malin2Mizen Cycle for CF
With Ireland having the highest rates of cystic fibrosis in the world and some of the most severe types of the disease—around 1,200 people are living with cystic fibrosis here currently. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) inaugural Malin2Mizen Cycle for CF will be taking place on Thursday May 12th – Sunday May 15th (www.cfireland.ie). The aim of the cycle is to raise awareness and funds to help provide support and services for people with cystic fibrosis nationally. These include support grants for people with cystic fibrosis for transplant assessment, fertility treatment and counselling, as well as research and new healthcare facilities.
This is also a great opportunity for cyclists to take in the incredible scenic routes we have in Ireland and to be a part of a great event which will raise much needed funds to help support people with cystic fibrosis. The four day cycle starts in Malin Head, County Donegal and finishes in Mizen Head, County Cork.
- Day 1: Malin Head – Bundoran (160km)
- Day 2: Bundoran – Claregalway (160km)
- Day 3: Claregalway – Charleville (140km)
- Day 4: Charleville – Mizen Head (160km)
Speaking about the Malin2Mizen Cycle for CF, Fergal Smyth, Fundraising Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland commented:
“The Malin2Mizen Cycle for CF takes places on Thursday, May 12th – Sunday, May 15th and
we are delighted to have support from race ambassadors Alan Brogan and Ryan Phillips to launch the cycle. CFI ambassador Joe Brolly will be getting on his bike and participating in the cycle. To support the Malin2Mizen cycle and help people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland you can donate online at www.cfireland.ie or text “HELPCF” to 50300 to donate €2”.
Bernie Priestly, speaking about the Malin2Mizen Cycle for CF commented “This is a great event. Friends of our family started this cycle last year having been inspired by our daughter Triona who lost her battle with CF at just 15 but not her fight to raise CF awareness, organ donation as well as the challenge to beat CF”.
Further Information
Peter Minchin, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, pminchin@cfireland.ie, 01 496 2433
Anne McCarthy, 0863771469
To support the Malin2Mizen cycle and help people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland you can donate online at www.cfireland.ie or text “HELPCF” to 50300 to donate €2 [100 per cent of a donation goes to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland across most network operators. Some operators apply VAT which means that a minimum of €1.63 will go to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 0766805278.]
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. For more, visit www.cfireland.ie
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, impacting breathing, digestion and reproduction. 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.
Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland Annual Report 2014
According to the most recent annual report from the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland, there were 1,183 people registered with cystic fibrosis at the end of 2014, representing 90.7 per cent of the known population. The registry collected data on approximately 200 more individuals in 2014 than it did six years previously in 2008. Most people with cystic fibrosis reach adulthood, with the registry reporting that adults outnumbered children for the first time in 2009. As in other years, there were more male than female cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland in 2014—55 per cent of children and 60 per cent of adults were male. An average of 39 patients were diagnosed each year between 2008 and 2014. There were 22 deaths of people with cystic fibrosis in 2014, with 26.9 years the median age at death. For more, visit http://www.cfri.ie/docs/annual_reports/CFRI2014.pdf
