About

Cystic Fibrosis ACT

Cystic Fibrosis ACT is a locally based organisation providing practical support services to over 70 people living with cystic fibrosis in the ACT and surrounding region.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) primarily affects the lungs and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system that’s responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus. There is currently no cure.

People with CF develop an abnormal amount of excessively thick and sticky mucus within the lungs, airways and the digestive system. This causes impairment of the digestive functions of the pancreas and traps bacteria in the lungs resulting in recurrent infections, leading to irreversible damage.

From birth, a person with CF undergoes constant medical treatments and physiotherapy. There is currently no cure for CF. It is the most common genetic disease in Australia, affecting over 3,000 people and every year, 1 in 4 Australian babies born with CF.