Cystic Fibrosis WA’s Crack A Cure campaign kicks off with CEO Nigel Barker

A CRACKING new way to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis by a Winthrop family has created smiles and social media frenzy.

Sisters Isobel and Ruby Donaldson, who have the condition which affects their lungs and digestive system, decided to create the Crack a Cure campaign to encourage others to understand and donate towards finding a cure in a fun, enjoyable way.

The Crack a Cure campaign encourages individuals to video themselves cracking an egg on to their body and challenging someone else to do the same, inspired by the Ice Bucket challenge.

While watching the sunset and devouring chocolate eggs on an Easter getaway, the girls’ father Gerard said the idea for Crack a Cure came to the family over an hour of discussion, talking it into existence.

Mr Donaldson had let go of the idea by morning, but Isobel persisted, encouraging their father to video the family participating in the fun activity.

With Isobel adding effects to the video, Mr Donaldson posted it online to his Facebook, asking his community to share their story.

“Our goal is to live our lives unaffected,” Mr Donaldson said.

“You basically just want to have a normal life.

“Up until now we have kept it quiet, this is essentially our big reveal.”

Friends and family rapidly responded, with the momentum the video gained leading Mr Donaldson and his family to create the funding page and a Facebook page, where their video and other Crack a Cure participants’ videos have received more than 35,000 views.

Mr Donaldson said they wished to get their campaign up and running before May to contribute towards the 65 Roses for Cystic Fibrosis campaign held throughout the month.

The girls are currently on a trial for the drug Orkambi, described as a breakthrough treatment for the underlying cause of Cystic Fibrosis.

Since joining the trial in December, Orkambi has since been rejected by the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

After experiencing this set back, Mr Donaldson said it was vitally important for the community to become involved and “donate, donate, donate.”

“You do get a lot of ups and a lot of downs and sometimes you have to create your own ups,” he said.

“That’s not just us, that applies for everyone.”

For more information on the Donaldson family campaign head to www.crackacure.com.