My Town Magazine, Discover Queensland Edition 8th September 2014 Edition 41 | Page 16

We are out
and about
capturing the
events that
took place in
your town.

PATIENTS Y
CF
E DA
ZE TAHle by Jackie Smith
SEI
rtic

C

ystic Fibrosis patients inspired locals
with their stories of bravery and triumph at the annual Cystic Fibrosis
High Tea Fundraiser.
The champagne flowed just as much as
the tears as 85 friends, family members
and strangers banded together to indulge
in the delicacies offered by Lavender and
Lace High Tea. The mood was lightened
with a fashion parade, where Narangba
Valley State School teachers modelled
clothing provided by Just Add Bling. There
were raffles to which local businesses
donated prizes.
Cystic Fibrosis is a cause which is close
to Lianna Manuel, committee members
Heidi Willows, Kylie Bocking and Kristy
Blacker’s hearts, as both Kristy and Kylie
have children with Cystic Fibrosis. Hav-

16

ing raised over $3000 (and counting) for
Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, these ladies
should congratulate themselves on their
efforts.
One in every 2500 Australian children are
born with Cystic Fibrosis every year, with
one in twenty-five people carrying the
gene. The average Cystic Fibrosis patient
will be admitted to hospital between
one to six times a year, as complications
increase with age.
With statistics like this, you would half
expect patients to be downhearted about
their experiences but the afternoon of
August 23rd was a time to look to the
future rather than dwell on the negatives
of this devastating illness. The Australian
Rules venue, in the Moreton Bay Sports
Complex at Burpengary, was filled to the
brim with stories of positivity, such as that
of Kristy Blacker’s son, who, despite doctor’s prognosis that he would not live to
see his third birthday, recently graduated