Port Power’s Angus Monfries announced as CURE4CF Foundation Patron

AFL star Angus Monfries is new patron of the Cure for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CURE4CF). In making the announcement today, the Chairman of the Foundation, Mr David Coluccio said that the CURE4CF Foundation was delighted that Angus, formerly of the Essendon Football Club and now one of Port Power’s most experienced and respected players, had accepted the role. “It is wonderful that a young man like Angus is so willing to provide his time and utilise his profile and networks for the benefit of the community and in particular, those living with cystic fibrosis.”

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common, genetically acquired and life-limiting chronic illness affecting young Australians today. The illness affects the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems, and those with CF have a significantly decreased life expectancy. Treatment can be intensive, expensive and time consuming. Having seen people close to him living with Cystic Fibrosis, Angus has a personal interest in, and understanding of, the effects of the disease.

Of his appointment as the foundation’s newest patron, Angus said, “CF is a debilitating illness that affects a great number of young Australians. A cure for CF would give those suffering from it today a brighter future and a fuller life”

The pathway to this brighter future may be right here in Adelaide. The Adelaide CF Gene Therapy Research Group, working at the Allan Scott CF research Laboratory have already had some success in treating the airways of CF affected mice with the correcting CF gene (called CFTR). The aim is now is to extend the effect of this CFTR gene through further research. Success will put our research team in a much stronger position to move into clinical trials on patients, currently estimated to be about a decade away. However, more resources and greater funding for research can reduce this ‘pre-clinical’ phase considerably.

Please help us reach our goal of $350 000 for 2013 to increase the research capacity of our Adelaide team and to help find the cure for Cystic Fibrosis sooner. To donate or organise a fundraiser event for CURE4CF please contact us at info@cure4cf.org