Komatsu Donated $10, 000 towards Cystic Fibrosis Research

Komatsu Australia recently donated $10,000 towards research and support program for cystic fibrosis, supporting Sydney-based Matthias Fuchs, who some years ago initiated the Qantas Flying Marathon for Kids with Cystic Fibrosis.

Matthias's 13-year-old daughter Kristen has cystic fibrosis (CF), and for many years he has been actively raising funds to help find better treatments and a cure for this terrible disease.

On November 25, 2015, Komatsu Australia's Managing Director and CEO Sean Taylor officially handed over a cheque for $10,000 to Dr Peter Cooper, Department Head of the Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Westmead Children's Hospital.

Research into treating and preventing CF is critical in this battle, and Dr Cooper explained to Sean how ongoing research can be optimised by employing specialists to undertake specific research in order to develop improvements in CF care and a hope for a cure.

The clinic's sole focus is to continually pursue and explore ways to fight what is such a devastating disease for kids and their families.

Sean took the opportunity to visit the CF Unit at Westmead Hospital and to see first-hand the fantastic work being done there.

"I applaud the research and work being undertaken by Dr Cooper and his team at Westmead Children's Hospital CF Clinic. From specific physiotherapists to CF research equipment the whole team is devoted to the fight against this dreadful disease." stated Sean.

Also attending this event was Matthias Fuchs, who in his latest Qantas Flying Marathon for Kids with Cystic Fibrosis raised over $200,000.

Starting on November 2, he took part in a gruelling flying marathon of 12 days and 12 nights, only ever leaving a plane for a quick layover at airports.

He spent almost 200 hours in the air, travelling 167,000 km with only carry-on luggage, touching down in every continent except Antarctica.

What is CF?

Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life threatening recessive gene condition. It attacks the lungs and digestive system with repeated infections leading to lung damage and eventually respiratory failure.

The pancreas is also impaired, which leads to poor nutrient absorption and restricted growth.

When a newborn baby is diagnosed with CF in NSW (through a simple heel prick test) they are referred to the CF centre where a multi-disciplinary team helps to provide the best possible care for the child and family.

Children with CF need lifelong constant care and treatment beginning in infancy, and tragically many die in early

adulthood. One in 25 people carry a gene that can cause CF and one child is born every four days with the disease.