For information on the Breath4CF Physical Activity Grant please visit our Grants & Awards page

What We Do | How We Started | Events | Do You Want To Use Your Breath4CF?

Related pages:  Ironman Charity Challenge | Photos | Breath4CF Ambassadors

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is New Zealand's most common life threatening genetic condition; Sadly CF significantly shortens lives, however medical advice is unanimous, people with CF can stay healthier for longer by participating in physical exercise from an early age.

Breath4CF helps make that happen by ensuring that the financial cost of physical activity and sport is not a barrier.

»What We Do

Breath4CF was established within the Cystic Fibrosis Association of NZ, after discussions with medical specialists who agreed that (aside from medications) physical exercise is the best way for a person with CF to preserve their own quality of life, lung function and longevity.

Under the Breath4CF grant fund, financial assistance is given to Cystic Fibrosis Association members so that there is no financial barrier to participating in life-preserving exercise or activity. Assistance is by way of reimbursement for costs such as gym memberships, entry fees, lessons, sports equipment etc.  Breath4CF will help towards any physical activity, for a person with CF, that would produce a health benefit (some restrictions do apply).

»Our Mission

• To help increase the quality of life and longevity of people with Cystic Fibrosis by encouraging people them to participate in physical activity and sport.
• To educate the public about Cystic Fibrosis and its impact on those affected and their families.
• To raise sufficient funds to allow these two things to happen

 

»Our Vision

• That all people with Cystic Fibrosis participate in physical activity as part of their regular daily life.
• That the cost of such activity is not a barrier to participation.

 

»Our Values

• We believe that physical activity is integral to quality of life.
• We believe that people's choices and the ability to participate should not be affected by their financial status.
• We believe that physical activity is possible for everyone regardless of health, finances or ability.

 

»Starship Hospital Recommendation Letter

A letter from Starship Hospital supporting exercise as life enhancing for people with Cystic Fibrosis.  starship_children_letter.pdf

»How We Started

Breath4CF started as a result of a journey and a vision. In 2002 Tracey Richardson found herself over-whelmed and overweight, a result of 13 years of struggling to cope with the realities of two children with Cystic Fibrosis. So she set about trying to not just improve her own life but also to make a difference to the lives of people with CF.

Unsure how to do that Tracey pursued fitness as her own personal goal and entered a small women's triathlon. But it was 8 days before this event that Tracey stumbled on the path that would set Breath4CF in motion. She heard about a woman with CF called Lisa Bentley, a remarkable professional triathlete who competes all over the world in Ironman races.

Ironman is a massive triathlon consisting of a 3.8 km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run. Lisa was coming to NZ to compete and Tracey wanted to show her children that exercise from an early age for a person with CF can make a HUGE difference to their health. She wanted to inspire her own children.

Tracey and her two children went to Taupo to watch the race and to meet Lisa. During the course of the 17 hour race day, Tracey resolved to do the race for herself, for her own journey, but she also had a vision. She wanted to establish a grant fund that would assist children with CF to participate in sports and physical activities, her own participation in the race would be the catalyst to fundraise for CF.

Medical advice was unanimous, exercise was a way that people with CF could affect their own quality of life and longevity. As a mother of CF children, she knew that it is all the families deepest wish to have their children with them for as long as possible.

So Tracey and the Cystic Fibrosis Association created Breath4CF and set about fundraising to establish this fund. As part of this Tracey approached the organisers of Ironman New Zealand and with the backing of the CF Association asked them to support her quest. They did and named Breath4CF as the first official charity in the event’s 20 year history in New Zealand.

A full campaign swung into action and the athletes in the field where encouraged to use THEIR breath4cf on race day and to fundraise for CF. Tracey completed the race in 15hr46mins with her children by her side and together with the other athletes raised $120,000, thereby establishing the Breath4CF fund.

Since then Breath4CF has been the official charity for a number of events and will be the official charity again at Ironman New Zealand until 2013. The money raised is being used by the people with CF in a variety of ways. Grants have been made for singing lessons, tennis rackets, club fees, gym memberships, lots of bikes, rugby sessions, swimming lessons, trampolines and a host of other items and sessions that are helping to keep the kids active, staving off the affects of their medical condition.

Tracey was honoured in the NZ Government 2005 New Years Honours list when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to Cystic Fibrosis.

»Tracey Richardson's Ironman Training Diary

For 12 months Tracey kept a diary of what it was like to juggle her hectic life whilst she trained for Ironman. This is not about the miles she did each day, it is a weekly update about the process of the journey to Ironman. It is emotional and empowering. Thousands of people logged onto Breath4CF each week to read the latest updates as she was writing it.

Here it is finished for you to enjoy.  Tracey_Richardsons_Ironman_Training_Diary.pdf

Following continual publicity and requests Tracey agreed to publish her story which was released by Random House in October 2005. Called "Going the Distance" this is the true story of how one woman, a mother, a non-athlete found herself doing not one but TWO Ironman events, despite tremendous odds and adversity in order to change the lives of those with Cystic Fibrosis. Reviewed as "riveting, compelling and inspirational" by Air NZ Magazine; Tracey Richardson's story will lift you to another level.

You can purchase your copy and support Breath4CF by doing so. Visit our Promotional Items page for the order form.

»CF Ambassadors

Meet some of our CF AMBASSADORS.  Some of our people who live with Cystic Fibrosis, making the most of their 'Breath4CF'.

»Do You Want to Use Your Breath4CF?

There are a number of ways you can use your Breath4CF:

• Enter any event or race and compete for CF.  Contact us and

  we will help you develop a fundraising campaign, provide you with fundraising tools and a website for your fundraising

• Volunteer at one of our official events

• Make a donation to Breath4CF

• Donate sports equipment for the people with CF to use

• Help us broker relationships with companies who can help us achieve our goals, for example we currently need a print industry sponsor

• Nominate Breath4CF as the charity at YOUR event

           "If you want to be part of the Breath4CF Campaign or just have some other ideas to help this great cause then click here to email us.  We would love to hear from you..."