Barrhead Elementary School has set a lofty goal – students and staff have just started a fundraising campaign to generate $32,000 to purchase modern vibration vests for two students who suffer from cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF or mucoviscidosis) is a common recessive genetic disease, which affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and often early death. CF is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This gene is required to regulate the components of sweat, digestive juices, and mucus.
For anyone who has had the misfortunate to witness first hand the devastating effects of cystic fibrosis, there will be no hesitation in getting involved with this project. Barrhead is known for looking after its own, and that fills me with hope that these two young girls will have the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest.
About 10 years ago, I wrote a series of articles about a teenager from Timmins, Ontario, where I first started my career. His name was Yves Joanisse, and he was a CF patient. He should have been a care-free teenager doing whatever it is that teenagers do. But, instead, he spent the majority of his time attached to machines that helped clear his lungs of the thick mucus. It wasn’t a sight one would expect to see when they were talking to a teenager, but it was a sad reality.
Yves had two double-lung transplants, and countless other medical procedures in an effort to help prolong his life. Unfortunately, for Yves, there was nothing that could have been done. This is a sad story, I know, and I don’t want it to depress anyone. Rather, I hope it inspires people to open their wallets and help improve the lives of two very adorable and heart-warming children who call Barrhead home.
