By LUKE VOOGT
Geelong is breathing life into a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF) this month with a first-time gala dinner.
The Cure Cystic Fibrosis Gala Dinner is the brainchild of Leann Tremul, who has sold more than 500 tickets so far.
“We’re overwhelmed at the public’s response,” Leann said.
“We need the community’s support for things like this to happen.”
The Highton mother knows first-hand the suffering CF causes: her 12-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, was diagnosed with the disease when aged just four weeks.
Gabrielle’s treatment involves 60 tablets a day, daily therapy and regular stints in hospital.
“Every time she gets a cough I hold my breath and hope she doesn’t have a chest infection,” Leann said.
A CF cure would be a huge relief for Leann and her family, she said.
“It would take all the worry away and Gabrielle could just live a normal life. That’s why I do these events – I can’t just sit around.”
The inaugural Cure Cystic Fibrosis Gala Dinner will be at The Pier on 21 May, with about 250 tickets still remaining.
Leann said all proceeds would go to Cure4CF Foundation to support the ground-breaking research of Adelaide’s CF Gene Therapy Program.
Dr Nigel Farrow, from the Adelaide research group, and Ocean Grove father Chris Teese will give guest speeches during the dinner.
Chris, whose story was covered in Geelong Indy sister publication Ocean Grove Voice, recently celebrated a year since a lung transplant in his fight against CF.
Entertainment at the gala dinner will include Nicky Buckley as MC, The People’s Poets, BHS Senior Jazz Band, Infinite Studio dancers and The Lewis Brothers.
A baby is born with CF every four days. CF sufferers have a 50 per cent chance of dying before turning 37.
Leann said tickets and more information could be obtained by contacting her at geelongcfsupportgroup@hotmail.com or on 0414 713 916.
