How can you support CF patients in Gaza?

11 Jan 09 Izmir, Turkey
Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide Middle East Office

Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide (CFW), an international member organization, has sent out an emergency request for donations of necessary medication and supplies for CF patients under siege in Gaza strip. Currently CF patients in Gaza are living without access to necessary life sustaining medication, daily therapy, food and clean water. CFW and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) are offering to distribute donated medication and necessary equipment to patients in critical need.

Palestinians who suffer from cystic fibrosis, a life threatening chronic genetic disease, have more to fear than the current war with Israel. Cystic fibrosis clogs all the major organs of the body with thick sticky mucus. Most CF patients are pancreatic deficient relying on pancreatic enzymes daily. Due to the mucus in their lungs they are prone to major lung infections and need antibiotics both oral and inhalation almost daily to survive.

"We spend long hours in the dark without electricity and listen to the agonizing coughing of our children while they struggle for breath.”

Ashraf,father of boys age 2 and 3 living with CF in Gaza, says “My wife and I started limiting the pancreatic enzyme dosage for both our boys causing immediate decline in their health. Soon we will have nothing to give them.” Ahsraf went on to say, “At night, I collect all my family members and we sit in the entrance hall of our home to avoid any injury from the attack of Israel forces. We spend long hours in the dark without electricity and listen to the agonizing coughing of our children while they struggle for breath.” Many CF patients are now living in UN shelters where there is poor sanitation exposing them to deadly bacteria. Lack of medication, clean water and nutritional food combined with the risks and hardships posed by CF, have left patients struggling for survival.

Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide and its network of friends in the international CF community recently accepted CF Gaza as a member association. CFW hopes to offer improvement for CF care in Gaza and the surrounding region by building capacity among CFW Middle East members, spreading education and opening access to necessary medication. At this time of emergency, CFW calls ontheir global friends and supporters to offer relief to patients in Gaza.

Medications needed: This list is the immediate need. CFW will send
medications according to this list. Please donate for the purchase of these
medications.

http://www.firstgiving.com/cfw
If you have any questions please contact:

Disclosure
Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide will not pay shipping for individual donations. All donations and cost of shipping donations is fully the responsibility of the donor. CFW will act as the network between the donor and (TBD) organization opening the opportunity for donations tobe passed to CF patients in Gaza. CFW is not responsible to guarantee long term access to any medication or equipment. CFW is not responsible for collaborations formed directly between donors and CF Gaza. CFW is not responsible to donors to report laws that govern individual donations in the countries. Donors are responsible to understand the laws of their country and to adhere accordingly when donating medication. Donors are responsible to ensure all medication and equipment meets the guidelines set by (TBD).