THE Cork branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland has begun a campaign to have a heart and lung transplant unit established in the State.
There is no known cure for the condition, and young people affected by it have a life expectancy that often does not extend beyond their 20s. However, the availability of heart and lung transplants can improve the situation greatly.
The condition demands constant care and attention from parents.
At the launch of the campaign recently, Ms Marian Barrett, secretary of the Cork branch and vice chairwoman of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, said no Irish hospital had the facilities to carry out this specialised operation. "As a result, Irish patients are obliged to travel to England. Last year, 47 young Irish people were awaiting transplants in the UK.
"Six of these were successfully operated on and of the remaining 41, 13 died while waiting to be called. It is a shame that our own country, which is currently in the middle of an economic boom, cannot look after the medical needs of these critically ill young people," she added. The objective of the campaign, which is entitled Sign Up For Life, is to attract 100,000 signatures.