Are YOU 1 in 1000?

01 March 2011

Details of 1 in 1000, the annual fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis, were announced today with a photo call in Dublin’s Merrion Square.  The campaign is a drive to recruit 1,000 women to run for CF in the 2011 Flora Women’s Mini Marathon. Among several high profile women supporting the initiative are Rose of Tralee Claire Kambamettu, nutrition expert Paula Mee and TV3 Apprentice winner Michelle Massey.

 Last year’s 1 in 1,000 campaign raised over €250,000 and the CFAI is hoping to repeat this phenomenal success in 2011 by recruiting 1,000 women again for the June event, with each participant raising at least €200 in sponsorship. The aim of the campaign is to raise funds to build more isolation units in hospitals around the country and to develop a new advice and information service for parents whose baby has been diagnosed with CF.

Outlining her reasons for being 1 in 1,000 at this year’s mini marathon Rose of Tralee Claire Kambamettu said: “1 in 1000 brings women together for a great cause, raising spirits, awareness, support and a huge sense of achievement that could not be realised by an individual alone.”

1 in 1000 is a fun and unique initiative founded by Zoe Woodward and a group of her friends and family.  They wanted to do something for Cystic Fibrosis following the diagnosis of Zoe’s little girls Emily and Lana (now aged 5 and 3) with CF.  Together the group built an exciting event that rallied 1000 women into doing something incredible. 

Zoe explains that: “1 in 1000 is about being greater than oneself; it is the coming together of many ordinary women to become great women and to work together towards something that really counts – to improve and extend the lives of children with CF.”

1 in 1000 is pledging to raise funds for new-born CF screening advice and information service for parents. New born screening for Cystic Fibrosis is being introduced in Ireland for the first time in June 2011. It has been estimated that around 3 parents per week will be told that their child has CF or is a genetic carrier of CF.  A similar service, which complements the work of clinicians, is in place in other countries, including the UK.

The funds will also go towards ongoing Isolation Unit and out patient building projects around the country. Such facilities in other countries have resulted in shorter hospital stays, less severe infections, less stress for the whole family and a better and longer life for CF patients.

Registration for the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon opens on Wednesday  2 March and women wishing to enter as part of the 1 in 1000 team should call 1890 311 211 or email runningforcf@cfireland.ie.

For more information on 1 in 1000 and Cystic Fibrosis, visit: www.cfireland.ie.