Words by Smiley Team
Pamela is mum to Max, who has Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Along with more than 70 of her fellow ‘CF Mamas’ – other mums to children with Cystic Fibrosis – Pamela has embarked on a month-long journey to help raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
CF is a complex illness caused by a faulty gene that one in 25 of us carry, perhaps unknowingly. Today, over 10,800 people live with the condition. As a result, those who suffer with CF experience a build up of sticky mucus in their lungs, digestive system and other organs.
To help with these symptoms, people with CF must do daily exercises to help shift the mucus. So, to reflect the daily exercise their children must go through, Pamela and over 70 'CF Mamas', have been performing exercise for at least 20 minutes per day for one month.
“Instagram is just incredible,” says Pamela, of the community she found on the platform. “I’ve only met a few of [the CF Mamas] – when we did the challenge last year, fourteen of us met up.”
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The CF Mamas are a valuable community for Pamela, who has found their support and unique understanding incredibly helpful.
“It felt like we were going on a weird internet date!” she laughs, describing the day where she met her friends and fellow CF Mamas for the first time. “We know each other's faces, we know each other's children… and then we all met up on this massive internet date!”
In 2021, the CF Mamas raised £16,000, while this year they've more than doubled that, raising £35,500 before the month is even over.
The month of exercise and fundraising comes to a close on Friday 17 June, which is Wear Yellow Day – a national fundraising day for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to help raise money for treatments, drugs and therapies that will transform the lives of those with Cystic Fibrosis.
DONATE: Donate to show your support for the CF Mamas and their children.
VOLUNTEER: Volunteer to support The Cystic Fibrosis Trust on Wear Yellow Day by fundraising.
SUPPORT: Donate to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust to help fund therapies and treatments to help those who suffer with Cystic Fibrosis.
