By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE family of a five-year-old boy from Woori Yallock is hosting a fund-raising day to support research into cystic fibrosis.
Brodie has been living with the disease his whole life and members of his family have formed a group called ‘Brodie’s Heroes’ to help raise money to find a cure for the illness.
Brodie’s mother, Adele Ormsby, said the family are doing everything they can to support Brodie and raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria will make a difference to everyone living with the illness.
Brodie’s Heroes are hosting a family fun day to be held at the Woori Yallock Primary School on Saturday, 10 October, with all proceeds donated to Cystic Fibrosis Victoria.
Cystic Fibrosis affects the lungs and digestive system due to a malfunction in the exocrine system that is responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus.
People with cystic fibrosis develop an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus within the lungs, airways and the digestive system that causes damage to their organs – there is currently no cure for the illness.
Ms Ormsby said supporting Brodie is a full time effort and they are desperate to help find a cure any way they can.
“We try and break up as much of this mucus as we can with physio treatments every day, and at times two to three times a day,” Ms Ormsby said.
“His body does not receive all the nutrients from food, which can make staying healthy also very difficult.”
“On top of all this he must take various medications and vitamins to try and help his body fight these infections that are caused by the mucus clogging up his body.”
As of 31 December 2013, the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Data Registry (ACFDR) held records of 3235 people living with cystic fibrosis.
Ms Ormsby is confident the money raised by the Fun Day will help anyone living with the disease through furthering research for a cure.
“In no way does the money go to Brodie or any members of our family,” she said.
“We are doing this as we want to show Brodie how much we love him and in the end coming up with a cure for cystic fibrosis.
“That is the most important thing to me and my family and Brodie’s Heroes.”
The family fun day, on Saturday, 10 October, will have face-painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, jumping castles, kids’ rides, market stalls, a football clinic, DJ, kids’ entertainment (including Doc McStuffins and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and much more.
There will also be silent auctions and other various auctions and entertainment during the day for parents and adults to enjoy.
