“I remember it being very overwhelming in the beginning. I struggled to accept that my tiny baby Amber had this life-limiting, progressive illness without a cure,” Claire explains. Amber, now aged 13, is one of the 530 New Zealanders currently living with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body. Cystic Fibrosis NZ is the only charity in New Zealand dedicated to supporting and improving the quality of life for people with CF and their families. Established in 1968 as a volunteer support group for parents with a newly diagnosed child, we dedicate ourselves to shaping a brighter future for everyone with cystic fibrosis. We receive less than 4% government funding and rely on the generosity of everyday New Zealanders to meet the ongoing needs of our community. With their help (and yours!) people with CF and their families receive personalised support from our team of CF Social Workers, financial assistance during hospitalisations and hardship, mobile medical equipment and more. We also contribute to promising CF research projects and advocate on behalf of the community for better access to treatment and care.