The Sheffield Cystic Fibrosis Appeal
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK´s most common life-threatening diseases, which is normally found in children and young people.
It affects the internal organs, particularly the lungs and digestive system, clogging them with thick, sticky mucus. This makes simple things like breathing and digesting food very difficult.
It affects around 8000 people in the UK and there is currently no cure. Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis and three young lives are lost to this debilitating disease.*
The appeal
At the moment, teenage and young adult patients are spending up to two weeks at a time on an ordinary medical ward, often amongst very elderly patients, as the Cystic Fibrosis unit does not have its own dedicated inpatient facilities.
We’re launching the Sheffield Cystic Fibrosis Appeal with the aim of raising £1m to build a world-class, dedicated treatment centre for young people across the region suffering from Cystic Fibrosis.
Funding from the government and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust will help with part of the project, but we need your help to make sure this desperately-needed new centre becomes a reality.
How will the appeal help?
The Sheffield Cystic Fibrosis Appeal will completely transform both inpatient and outpatient care for the increasing number of young Cystic Fibrosis patients in our region.
The only facility of its kind in the area, the new centre will be designed to meet the specific needs of young people, including free, high speed broadband to enable patients to continue their studies during hospital stays.
The dedicated centre, based at the Northern General Hospital, will:
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Provide 12 inpatient beds
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Vastly improve the patient environment, which has been shown to boost clinical outcomes**
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Help reduce the risk of cross-infection, which is especially important in Cystic Fibrosis patients
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Feel like a ‘home from home’ with private en-suite rooms
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Stop young people putting off vital treatment because of inadequate facilities
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Feature a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians all focused on the needs of young people fighting this debilitating illness
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Offer a light and airy space for young people undergoing treatments which often require lengthy hospital stays
With your help, we can do more
If you’re interested in supporting our appeal why not visit how you can get involved. One easy and fun way of showing your support is by attending one of our upcoming events. You can also make a secure online donation.
If you’d like to find out more just get in touch. Contact Isla Denoon by e-mail at isla.denoon@shct.nhs.uk or call 0114 226 3415.
* Cystic Fibrosis Trust 2009.
* * Research from the University of Nottingham showed that patients on refurbished wards were less stressed, needed fewer drugs and had faster recovery times than those who were recuperating on an older ward.
The Sheffield Cystic Fibrosis Appeal is very kindly being supported by the national Cystic Fibrosis Trust
