TLC4CF Officially Launched - Improving Lives of Cystic Fibrosis Patients in the Mid West Region

29 September 2009

TLC4CF was officially launched on Monday 28th September in The Savoy Hotel in Limerick, with over 120 guests in attendance, including Munster rugby stars Alan Quinlan and Marcus Horan.

TLC4CF is a fundraising initiative formed by the Tipperary, Limerick and Clare branches of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) to help improve services, facilities and in turn improve lives for all People living with Cystic Fibrosis in the Mid West Region.

Cystic Fibrosis - or CF is Ireland's most common life threatening, genetically inherited disease.  Approximately 1 in 19 people are carriers of the CF gene; and when two carriers parent a child there is a 1 in 4 chance of the child being born with CF. CF affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, pancreas, digestive tract and reproductive system. The result is that people with CF (PWCF) are very prone to recurring damaging lung infections that require frequent hospital visits for treatment on both an out-patient and in-patient basis. The potential of cross infection while attending hospital is of grave concern to people with CF.

Children born today with CF can expect to live a near normal, full and productive life, provided that the correct treatment facilities are in place.  Ireland has the highest prevalence of CF in the World, and the most severe types of CF in the World... despite this; Ireland has the poorest resources for CF Patients in Europe.

The number of adults CF patients attending Mid Western Regional Hospital (MWRH) is steadily increasing all the time as people living with CF (PWCF) are surviving longer. The priority of TLC4CF will be to significantly improve facilities in MWRH and in particular to provide a CF out-patient clinic and 9 high spec. ensuite inpatient rooms for CF patients. 

TLC4CF have a number of targets to reach over the next few years:

• To improve existing inadequate facilities for PWCF attending the Mid Western Regional Hospital (MWRH), Limerick, which services Tipperary, Limerick and Clare (as well as some patients from Kerry)
• To construct a specialised CF out-patients unit with 5 treatment rooms
• To provide a dedicated CF in-patient unit with 9 ensuite rooms this would dramatically reduce the risk of CF patients acquiring life threatening cross infections
• To lobby for the recommended number of staff to care for PWCF
• To bring CF treatment at MWRH to European standards
• To increase general awareness in the region for CF and the issues surrounding the condition
• To create awareness about Genetic Screening to possible carriers of the Gene

This capital project will cost in the region of €3.5 million, and TLC4CF are appealing to organisations, schools, businesses, clubs and individuals to organise fund raising events or make donations to raise vital funds for this worthy cause.

Speaking at the launch, Owen Kirby, Chairman of TLC4CF said: "At present the facilities we have in the Mid West for Adult people with CF are very basic and we are launching TLC4CF to address this. There is a dedicated Paediatric CF team at the MWR Hospital, but it is vital that we get in place a corresponding Adult team. The absence of a dedicated team and facilities is putting the lives of people living with CF in serious risk, and this must be addressed immediately.  Through TLC4CF, people in the region can help us raise vital funds which will directly improve the lives of so many people in the Mid West who are fighting a daily battle with Cystic Fibrosis."

Dr. Michael Mahony, Pediatric Consultant at Mid Western Regional Hospital stated at the launch "There is an urgent need for improved Cystic Fibrosis facilities in the Mid West region so that patients can be segregated with the risk of cross infection greatly reduced.   These facilities which TLC4CF are fundraising for will help improve the quality of care, the ease of access of care, and provide resources that will allow patients to be treated in isolation.  This can only translate into better long term outcomes for people with this potentially life threatening disease."

Also present at the launch was Martin Cahill, Fundraising Manager of CFAI. Speaking about TLC4CF, Martin said "CFAI welcomes this initiative and look forward to working with TLC4CF to provide improved facilities for PWCF in the Mid West Region."

For further information on TLC4CF and how you could help this worthy cause, or to receive a fundraising pack please call Liam O'Kelly on (086) 2675963 or email info@tlc4cf.com. Information and a downloadable information pack can also be found on www.tlc4cf.com.

Donations can be made directly through any AIB branch or online banking.  TLC4CF Bank Account: Allied Irish Bank, A/C No: 04310137, Sort Code 93-50-93.

TLC4CF is a branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI).