A MORLEY family is taking part in their fourth cystic fibrosis (CF) fundraising challenge this month, in a bid to raise awareness for the genetic disease.
The Spaapen family joined the Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA)’s 65 Roses campaign.
Kate and Paul Spaapen’s son David (6) was diagnosed with CF when he was just six weeks old.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWMs Spaapen said David, a Weld Square Primary School student, required daily medication and physio work.
“His condition has not deteriorated, we need to make sure he is mentally well,” she said.
“We encourage sport as much as possible.
“Definitely, I think we find the struggles when he is admitted into hospital; it is a big strain.”
Ms Spaapen said she had hosted dinners in an effort to raise $3000.
“This year we managed to get 80 per cent new people who have not been before,” she said.
“I hope there will be more people who want to help.”
David’s Year 1 teacher Angela Rechichi said he was popular among his friends, who he had been with for three years.
“They are really sweet because if someone has a cold, they suggest that they swap places so that David does not catch a cold,” she said.
Ms Rechichi said David was a hardworking and kind student.
“David has been lucky so far, he has not missed too much school but I know that some kids would miss an awful lot of school,” she said.
“I think it is important that we have funding for research.
“If we can actually either make medication better or even cure (cystic fibrosis) would be great.”
CFWA will hold a Rose Wrapping Day on May 25 at two venues in the Perth CBD.
Roses will be sold at Murray Street Mall and suburban shopping centres on May 26.
Visit www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/wa/65roses.