'Every Breath Matters' Mid-Ulster fundraiser gaining momentum

A Mid Ulster fundraising initiative to raise awareness and funding to build a respite centre for those affected by a deadly lung disease is gaining momentum.

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.

Although there is little public awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis, every community has people who are suffering and dying from this disease.

The North of Ireland has the highest prevalence of Pulmonary Fibrosis sufferers in the UK, with around 360 newly diagnosed patients a year.

Mid Ulster has a particularly high prevalence. On diagnosis their life expectancy is between three and five years.

A small committee of people from the Mid Ulster area have come together to organise the 'Every Breath Matters' fundraiser to help acquire and build a much needed respite centre for patients and families affected by the disease.

The one-off online fundraiser aims to raise £150,000 for Pulmonary Fibrosis NI, a registered charity and support group which has been set up to provide support and respite to sufferers and their families.

At the time of writing, close to £70,000 has been raised, thanks to the generosity of the public and local businesses.

Draperstown man Michael Kelly, who is a member of the fundraising committee, has described Mid Ulster as 'a hotspot' with approximately 25 known cases of Pulmonary Fibrosis in the local area.

Dr Josef Kuriacose, a popular and well known medical practitioner from Magherafelt, who was a close friend of Mr Kelly's, sadly passed away on April 15 2022 from Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Dr Josef, who worked as a GP, practising in Moneymore and also in the Mid Ulster Hospital, was well known throughout the area.

He was instrumental in persuading the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to convert the former maternity unit in the hospital into a rehab centre for those being discharged from hospital.

Pulmonary Fibrosis NI currently has a mobile home 'Puffin Lodge' in the Ballycastle area, which is available to their members to book for themselves and their families to get some valuable precious time with each other or to simply get some time away from caring responsibilities. 

However, the charity now wants to be able to provide a purpose built respite facility which can accommodate more than one family at the time.

This facility is much needed as patients are unable to travel abroad due to oxygen requirements.

As part of this fundraising campaign, a small group, who were friends of Dr Josef, and other recently deceased members of the community, have been approaching local businesses and individuals for financial contributions.

The fundraiser will culminate in a marquee charity golf event on June 30 at Killymoon Golf Club where Dr Josef was captain for two years during Covid.

Michael explained that the support for the fundraiser, which was originally meant to be a golf day, was 'so ovewhelming' that 'it morphed into something different'.

“It started off as a golf event hoping to raise around £12,000 but the support we have had from local business owners, who have been very generous financially, has meant the goal posts have changed. It really has struck a chord with so many people as there are so many people in the local area who are suffering from Pulmonary Fibrosis or know someone who has been affected by it.

“We are sitting at close to £70,000 now but we need the public's help to get it over the line.

“Pulmonary Fibrosis is undiagnosed and underdiagnosed and the horrendous nature of idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis means that the lungs become harder and smaller making it more difficult for patients to breathe.

“Because of their oxygen requirements, patients can't travel abroad – the only thing that can be done to benefit them is to provide care via a respite centre.”

Due to the small nature of the fundraising committee, they are now calling on potential sponsors from the North Derry area to come forward and help support the fundraiser.

To donate to the fundraiser, click here