Parents on the run to stop a killer

A GROUP of amazing Sunshine Coast mums and dads will be running a combined 300km to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland.
The St Andrew’s Anglican College families have taken up the challenge after learning about two very special St Andrew’s students living with cystic fibrosis.
College parent Kristen Shilkin said she saw the River Run 100 as a great opportunity to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, which provides much-needed services to families living with cystic fibrosis.
“There are two families at the school who have children with cystic fibrosis, and actually one of those families has two young children with the condition,” Ms Shilkin said.
Together with fellow parent Judith Tappenden, Ms Shilkin contacted other families at the college with the hope of getting a team together to run the 100km ultra-marathon.
“The support we’ve received from the college community is amazing,” she said.
“We thought it would be great to get just one team together, but we actually had 30 people volunteer to compete in the event.”
With so many wanting to run the ultra-marathon, the group has been split into three relay teams with each team running 100km.
Mum of two children living with cystic fibrosis, Laura Stoll said it is humbling to have so much support from the college community.
“Cystic fibrosis is a largely ‘invisible’ disease that many people don’t know about, so raising awareness for our children and other families living with CF is really important,” Ms Stoll said.
One in 25 Australians carry the cystic fibrosis gene, with most unaware they were a carrier. Children living with the gene face a daily barrage of medications and physiotherapy as well as regular hospital visits and admissions, sometimes up to six times a year with hospitalisations lasting for at least two weeks where the child receives intense physiotherapy and strong antibiotics.
“There is very little government funding and Cystic Fibrosis Queensland relies on donations to provide these services,” Ms Stoll said.
Ms Shilkin said she hoped her team of 30 runners could raise $3000 for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland.
“Cystic Fibrosis Queensland requires over $1 million a year to provide essential services such as counselling, home physiotherapy and accommodation,” Ms Shilkin said.
“We would like to raise at least $3000 which we hope will make a difference to the lives of some of those living with this genetic illness.”
The team will be competing in the River Run 100 on Sunday 16 August. You can support the St Andrew’s team reach the finish line and raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Queensland by visiting the team’s Everyday Hero website: give.everydayhero.com/au/st-andrew-s-4-cystic-fibrosis
The team would like to thank their sponsors Noosa Radiology, Fusion Multisport, Combined Electrical Solutions and RVS Kitchens.