The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK's only national charity dedicated to all aspects of CF.  They fund research to treat and cure CF and aim to ensure appropriate clinical care, advice, support and where appropriate financial assistance is available for people living with CF.  Since founded in 1964 they have been working to improve the lives of people with CF, raise the profile of CF and fund research into a cure.  

 

Kelli Gallagher is a dedicated highland dancer who began dancing at the age of 5 and is still a keen competitor at the age of 15.  Kelli attends lessons twice or sometimes three times a week and works vigorously at class to improve her lung function and condition.  Kelli enjoys both highland and national dances and loves the challenges of working at new steps as well as choreography with her fellow dancing friends.  Kelli has used her dancing as a foundation to raise thousands of pounds for the CF Trust.  She has appeared on TV with Noel Edmonds, worked with X Factor stars, as well as working with a whole host of celebrities to raise awareness of the work being done by the CF Trust to help find a cure.  Kelli is an inspiration in her daily life and lives a full and active life.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that she battles with a life shortening condition every day.  The reality is, she endures hospitals, surgery and physiotherapy continuously and takes a massive range of medication on a daily basis to manage this condition.  In 2010 Kelli plans to sit her associate dancing exam and reach one of her all time goals - to become a Highland Dancing Teacher.  

 

Sandra Lees says "The funds raised from the competition in 2011 will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.  I am delighted that the highland dancing community are continuing with the work originally started by Mrs Nixon (Paisley) and supporting other dancers and parents who are currently facing challenges with life shortening conditions or disabilities.  Highland dancers, teachers, judges, pipers, parents and friends are always united when it comes to supporting charity dancing events and these competitions are a testament to this.  I know the first event in Grangemouth in 2010 will be a tremendous success and supported by many".

• Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a single faulty gene that controls the movement of salt in the body. In people with CF the internal organs become clogged with thick, sticky mucus resulting in infections and inflammation making it hard to breathe and digest food.
• Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited diseases.
• Cystic Fibrosis affects over 8,500 people in the UK.
• Over two million people in the UK carry the faulty gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis - around 1 in 25 of the population.
• If two carriers have a child, the baby has a 1 in 4 chance of having Cystic Fibrosis.
• Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.
• Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis.
• Each week, three young lives are lost to Cystic Fibrosis.
• Around half of the CF population can expect to live over 38 years, although improvements in treatments mean a baby born today could expect to live even longer.
• There is currently no cure for CF - the hope lies in future developments in gene therapy or pharmalogical based drugs.