Wear yellow to help cystic fibrosis sufferers
CELEBRITIES, medics and families joined in the Wear Yellow For CF campaign yesterday to support the Cystic Fibrosis Trust charity.
Stars like Call the Midwife’s Jenny Agutter and Derry Girls actress Siobhán McSweeney took to Twitter wearing yellow in support.
Jenny told us: “My niece Rachel, and my great-nephew, Albie, have CF.
“I know first-hand the impact this condition has on families.
“The determination and the resilience of the families I have met over the years continues to inspire me.
“The CF Trust’s work is vital, providing life-changing world-class research, day-to-day care and support, as well as campaigning for life-saving drugs for all.
“I am proud to be an ambassador for the CF Trust as they tirelessly strive to ensure a future where everyone with CF can live a life unlimited.”
Her niece Rachel, 42 – who is on “wonder” drug Kaftrio – told us: “I’m doing really well. It’s crazy how you quickly get used to living ‘normally’ again.”
Derry Girls star Siobhán posted pictures and clips of herself in yellow outfits, and wrote: “I’m wearing yellow for a little friend of mine called Kate and her family.
“The CF Trust has supported them over the last couple of years.”
The day coincided with the end of a fundraising feat by Joanna Barrett, who has two CF youngsters – Sam, eight, and Rory, six.
The mother of four, 38, raised £1,900 by walking the equivalent of the 874 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats – but did so in her town of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, due to Covid restrictions. She said: “It’s been really hard to get out every day, especially with the infamous Scottish weather!” The CF Trust – which has been affected by Covid due to the cancelling of fundraising events – funds research and gives sufferers vital support.
Thye trust’s Sandra Howarth said: “We are so grateful to the many people like Joanna who are raising money.”
More than 10,600 Britons live with the genetic condition, which causes lungs to fill with mucus.
Since 2019, the Daily Express has fought for Britons to be given
US firm Vertex’s drug Kaftrio, hailed as “almost a cure for CF”.
Last summer the NHS struck a deal to obtain supplies and now over 90 per cent of children aged 12 and above can access the drug.
And last monthVertex applied to give Kaftrio to 1,300 youngsters aged six to 11 in Britain.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is assessing the application.
●●To donate to the CF Trust, text 70500 with the word YELLOW5 to give £5,YELLOW10 to give £10 or YELLOW20 to give £20.