Joan (50) Life with Cystic Fibrosis

Statistics about life expectancy in cystic fibrosis (which are generally listed as being in the 30s) are a mathematical average - usually the median average rather than the "most common" age. Statistics such as these were never designed to predict the length of life for an individual person with CF. Instead they show trends in cystic fibrosis - and these trends show life expectancy is improving due to research into new treatments, for example.

One such person who shows statistics are just mathematical calculations is sports enthusiast and CF Foundation volunteer, Joan Finnegan Brooks (50). In this video Joan talks about life as a CF adult and growing up with cystic fibrosis.



Cystic Fibrosis Resources

Sweat Test for Cystic Fibrosis

The sweat test is one of the most common methods of testing for cystic fibrosis. In this video Gerald Fernald, M.D explains cystic fibrosis and the sweat test. It also shows sweat tests being done.

For further information on sweat tests try KidsHealth, WebMD, Lab Tests Online and the Great Ormond Street Hospital




Cystic Fibrosis Resources

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Dream

With the vast number of uploaded videos on the internet it can sometimes take a lot of effort to find good quality videos about cystic fibrosis. The My Dream videos from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would have to be my absolute favourite videos created by any CF organization. These videos are simple yet so powerful. The emotion is real rather than being scripted. I feel they provide a sense of hope without glossing over the reality of life with cystic fibrosis.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation explains that they "asked some of the many extraordinary people affected by this disease to share their dreams for the future." A wonderful approach I believe as something cannot become reality unless it is imagined first. It is through the creativity and imagination of researchers that better treatments and a cure will be found for CF.

There are six videos in the series - here are three of my personal favourites.

Please note: Some of these videos are quite emotionally powerful due to the inclusion of parents who have lost a child to cystic fibrosis. 

Go to the My Dream for CF page







Cystic Fibrosis Resources