About us

Unfortunately there is still no cure for Cystic Fibrosis. This is something we hope to change...

We are a group of mums, dads, aunties, friends and selfless volunteers united with a common goal – to improve and extend the lives of those living with Cystic Fibrosis.

Our journey started when a small group of parents of children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) decided to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA). As a result of this, the 65 Roses Grand Ball for CF was born and almost $43,000 was raised at our first Ball in 2002. Today the annual Capel Vale Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Grand Ball is held along with several other fundraising events including the popular Bingo for Conquer Cystic Fibrosis that is now held three times per week. These events help keep the funds flowing to the medical researchers who have the potential to save the lives of our loved ones living with this disease.

From our inaugural event to today, CCF has raised more than $5.6M for CF research. Several of the research projects funded by CCF are being used in clinical care today. Research is the key to granting those with CF the opportunity to live a full life. In the 1960s the life expectancy for those living with CF was 5. Today, it is 37. Medical researchers have driven that growth and they need our support to find the cure.

Our Amazing Volunteers

The Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Grand Ball Committee

  • Susan Andrews ACM
  • Taryn Barrett
  • Annette Boyle
  • Paula Butchart
  • Fiona Byrne
  • Caroline Claydon
  • Rob Enderbrock-Brown
  • Wendy Enderbrock- Brown
  • Ben Graham
  • Kylie Guerriero
  • Barb Higgins
  • Lindsay Livingstone
  • Rita Pahl
  • Lori Peoples
  • Ros Pignatiello
  • Denise Rothwell
  • Sue Wake
  • Lisa Younger

Volunteers

Yes, we can always use more help! If you have one hour, or many hours, please contact us.

info@conquercysticfibrosis.com

You might have a special skill we need, or you might just be full of good ideas and energy. We are a friendly, no pressure group just doing what we can. So whether you wish to be on the Grand Ball Committee, help at a function or find donations, we’d love for you to join us.

We would also love families to get involved and host their own fundraiser whether it’s a sausage sizzle, sporting event participation or a grand cocktail party – we need your support and every effort makes a difference.

We are also happy to hear from people with Cystic Fibrosis who want to share their story, write a blog piece or help us promote our message.

Projects

Conquer Cystic Fibrosis (CCF) has funded more than 25 research projects and continues to support research through two primary channels

Institute of Respiratory Health

In 2015, CCF formed a partnership with the Institute of Respiratory Health which is situated in Nedlands.

Thanks to a $1 million commitment over five years, the Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Research Program was born.

This program funded three new postgraduate PhD Scholarships. These scholarships will foster careers in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) research and improve the adult care offered to all those living with CF in WA. It is hoped that the scholarships will help to attract and retain top clinicians in our State. Contact us for more information.

Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust:

The Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust (ACFRT) seeks to allocate funds for high quality research at a national level. The Trust will only support research that has been assessed and recommended by the scientific community. The Trust through financial support of CCF funding has a number of research studyies underway including:

CCF GI Innovation project 2020 – (Keith Ooi – Towards understanding gut host-microbe interactions and personalised probiotic therapy in cystic fibrosis using organoid-derived 2D intestinal models)

CCF Respiratory Innovation project 2022 (Samuel Montgomery – Establishing a pipeline for repurposing anti-inflammatory drugs to tackle viral-induced exacerbations in children with CF)

CCF Lung Health Transplant Grant 2022 (HLRI – H Ludewick, M Musk, W Pavey, R Brogan, R Labalestier) Transforming diagnosis of lung transplant rejection

CCF GI Innovation project 2023: Establishing the utility of GCTM-5 as a biomarker for liver pathology in cystic fibrosis patients (Prof G Yeoh, Prof Ramm, A/Prof Lewindon, Dr Alves and Dr Laing)

CCF Lung Health Transplant Grant 2023: Understanding and counteracting antibody-mediated inflammation driving lung damage (T Wells)

The projects we have been able to support all have the potential to drastically improve CF care, outcomes worldwide and extend lives.  Please contact us for more information.

Telethon Kids Institute:

Access to phage therapy, a treatment option for antibiotic resistant superbugs, is now one step closer for people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in WA thanks to a $500,000 donation from Conquer Cystic Fibrosis to the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre.  Our donation resulted in the establishment of a phage bioreactor facility in WA, where phages will be manufactured to treat infections in patients where very limited, or no treatment options, exist.  The phage therapy research being undertaken by the Wal-yan Centre is urgently needed, and it’s giving families with CF hope.