Cystic Fibrosis
UK CF Quick Facts
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7500 people have CF.
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Every week five babies are born with CF.
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Three young people die each week from Cystic Fibrosis, usually as a result of lung damage.
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One person in 25 carries the defective gene that causes CF - more than 2.3 million people in the UK.
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If both parents are carriers there is a one in four chance the child will have CF and a two in four chance the child will be a carrier but not have the disease. There is a one in four chance that the child will neither have CF nor be a carrier.
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In 1964, the average life expectancy for a child with CF stood at just 5 years.
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Today, life expectancy has risen to 31 Years.
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Of the 7500 CF patients, 6000 are aged 25 or under. Only 1500 are aged over 25.