Latest news with #CF
Shafaq News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq to hold high-level meeting over US attack on Iran
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is scheduled to meet on Sunday with senior officials to address today's US strikes on Iran, a source revealed to Shafaq News. The meeting, planned with leaders of the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) and the State Administration Coalition (SAC)—an alliance of major Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish parties—follows a wave of American airstrikes on nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which President Donald Trump described as 'precise and successful.' According to the source, the talks will focus on unifying Iraq's position in response to the unfolding developments and exploring diplomatic channels to help contain the crisis. 'Baghdad is working to align its diplomatic stance with regional partners while calling on the United Nations Security Council to play a more active role in efforts to halt the escalation.' Discussions are also expected to cover the broader ramifications of the Iran-Israel confrontation, particularly given the direct US military involvement. The agenda will additionally include measures to protect Iraq from the fallout of any expanding confrontation.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Stranger's lungs meant I could walk down the aisle - I defied all odds'
Kirstin was born with a life limiting lung condition and would have died if it wasn't for an incredible donor who saved her life. Now she's fulfilled her dream to walk down the aisle There will always be three people in Kirstin Smyth's marriage - herself, her husband Liam and the stranger who made their wedding day possible. For Kirstin, 36, was born with the life limiting lung condition cystic fibrosis (CF) and without the lung transplant she received at the end of 2018, she would have died. Kirstin, a nanny, who married in November 2024, says 'It was such an emotional moment for me when I walked down the aisle on our wedding day to marry Liam. 'I'd told him a few days after we first met that I didn't know what the future was going to hold for me, but he wasn't put off. 'Our wedding day was incredibly special. It meant such a lot. All the guests knew what had happened and they were all so happy for us. 'I knew that I wouldn't be standing there, exchanging my wedding vows, if it hadn't been for my donor and her family making that brave decision to donate her organs.' Kirstin, who lives in Oxford with landscape gardener Liam, 35, says her parents had been told her CF meant she would be lucky to make her teens. She defied the odds, but was then told she would be unlikely to make 30. Diagnosed with CF - which damages the lungs, digestive tract and other organs and is an inherited disease caused by a defective gene, affecting the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices - at six months old, she is the first person in her family to have the condition. She says: 'I wasn't thriving and when my parents took me to the hospital, the doctor kissed me - and said my skin was salty, which is a sign of cystic fibrosis, so I was sent off for more tests. When they found I had the condition, my parents were told that I wouldn't live to my teens, which was devastating for them to hear.' Kept alive by modern medicine, in her early 20s Kirstin - who met Liam in a local nightclub when she was 20 - was assessed for a lung transplant. She says: 'I'm a positive person and the doctors often told me that positivity was a medicine in itself. I was always determined that CF wasn't going to hold me back. 'I was put on the transplant list at 27. But, at that point, I didn't know if I was going to survive into my 30s.' Despite her CF, Liam only saw his future with Kirstin and, when she was in hospital in 2013 having treatment, he proposed She says: "We didn't know what the future was going to hold and he knew that, one day, I was going to need a transplant, but he still wanted to marry me. A lot of men would have been put off, but he's a special guy." Kirstin waited two years for a lifesaving lung transplant - during which time she had three false calls, where lungs had been found, but at the last minute were deemed unsuitable. 'Each time was a crushing disappointment, as I didn't know if I would get another call,' she says. "But then, finally, on the fourth occasion in November 2018, there was a call to get to the hospital and this time the transplant went ahead. 'It felt amazing afterwards when I got my new lungs and was able to breathe properly for the first time. It completely changed my life.' As well as walking down the aisle, her new lungs have helped her to fulfill another dream to compete with her husky dogs doing dryland mushing, a dog powered sport, where the animals pull a person on a sled without snow. She says: 'To have the energy to be able to do this with my dogs was an incredible feeling of achievement.' And last November - thanks to her lung donor, who she knows was a mum - she married Liam in front of 77 guests at the Crazy Bear Hotel in Southampton. 'My dad talked about my donor in his speech and said how amazing it was that I was here today on my wedding day,' she says. 'I don't let my illness define me, but I'm very proud of how far I've come. 'I have written to my donor's family to thank them after the transplant and I did receive a letter back from them. 'I'm now going to write and tell them about getting married and what it means to me. 'I want them to know what their mum's lungs have done for me, as I wouldn't be here today, doing everything that I love, if it hadn't been for her.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
$80K Boost From NZCT Helps Cystic Fibrosis Community Breathe Easier
Press Release – NZ Community Trust Breath 4 CF removes financial barriers for individuals and whnau by covering costs for personalised activities that keep lungs strong and minds healthy from surf lessons and gym memberships to dancing, drumming, or trampolining. New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded Cystic Fibrosis NZ (CFNZ) an $80,000 grant towards the Breath 4 CF programme — a vital physical activity initiative that helps people with cystic fibrosis stay active and live well. CFNZ Chief Executive Lisa Burns says, 'Thanks to this generous funding from NZCT, we'll be able to continue delivering high-quality support that makes physical activity possible for hundreds of people with CF, right from birth.' Breath 4 CF removes financial barriers for individuals and whānau by covering costs for personalised activities that keep lungs strong and minds healthy — from surf lessons and gym memberships to dancing, drumming, or trampolining. For those with CF, exercise isn't optional — it's essential for managing symptoms, reducing infections, and improving long-term outcomes. The CF community highly values the programme. Nearly 400 applications were approved last year alone, with over $88,000 distributed to help people stay active in ways that suit their interests and needs. Ben Prince-Saxon, a 24-year-old adult living with cystic fibrosis is on a mission named '12 in 12' which will see him run twelve marathons over the course of a year to raise awareness and funds for kiwis living with CF. Ben says, ' The Breath 4 CF grant has been used every year to pay for football fees, new boots, and now running shoes to keep me injury-free'. Charley Cameron, a 14-year-old student, hip hop dancer, and member of world champion crew NOVA adds 'Living with CF has presented a lot of challenges, but it has never stopped me from pursuing my passions. Dancing has been a source of strength and resilience throughout my journey with CF and keeps me fit.' Joelle Dunlop, mother of 6-year-old Lincoln with CF says 'The Breath 4 CF grant gives Lincoln the opportunity to participate in hip hop classes (he's a brilliant dancer) and plays rugby. He can't wait to get on the field on Saturdays! The grant will not only help cover the costs of raising a medically high needs child but also encourage and empower us as parents to emphasise the importance of the most accessible form of lung function treatment – exercise.' NZCT's GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges says, 'We're delighted to be able to help CFNZ ensure people living with CF don't face any financial barriers to participation in the holistic benefits of sport and active recreation. Having supported the programme with $80k last year as well, the stories coming out of Breath 4 CF are really inspiring. Our support wouldn't be possible without the responsible gaming fundraising partnerships we share with our local venues nationwide.' Notes: Cystic Fibrosis NZ (CFNZ) was founded in 1968 to deliver a range of vital services in order to extend and improve the lives of those living with CF. They support many of the more than six hundred people and their families affected by cystic fibrosis in New Zealand, working with people from diagnosis to change the trajectory of their lives. New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) is one of the largest gaming societies in New Zealand. In 23/24, NZCT awarded over $40 million in grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the Arts, and cultural activities.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
$80K Boost From NZCT Helps Cystic Fibrosis Community Breathe Easier
New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded Cystic Fibrosis NZ (CFNZ) an $80,000 grant towards the Breath 4 CF programme — a vital physical activity initiative that helps people with cystic fibrosis stay active and live well. CFNZ Chief Executive Lisa Burns says, 'Thanks to this generous funding from NZCT, we'll be able to continue delivering high-quality support that makes physical activity possible for hundreds of people with CF, right from birth.' Breath 4 CF removes financial barriers for individuals and whānau by covering costs for personalised activities that keep lungs strong and minds healthy — from surf lessons and gym memberships to dancing, drumming, or trampolining. For those with CF, exercise isn't optional — it's essential for managing symptoms, reducing infections, and improving long-term outcomes. The CF community highly values the programme. Nearly 400 applications were approved last year alone, with over $88,000 distributed to help people stay active in ways that suit their interests and needs. Ben Prince-Saxon, a 24-year-old adult living with cystic fibrosis is on a mission named '12 in 12' which will see him run twelve marathons over the course of a year to raise awareness and funds for kiwis living with CF. Ben says, ' The Breath 4 CF grant has been used every year to pay for football fees, new boots, and now running shoes to keep me injury-free'. Charley Cameron, a 14-year-old student, hip hop dancer, and member of world champion crew NOVA adds 'Living with CF has presented a lot of challenges, but it has never stopped me from pursuing my passions. Dancing has been a source of strength and resilience throughout my journey with CF and keeps me fit.' Joelle Dunlop, mother of 6-year-old Lincoln with CF says 'The Breath 4 CF grant gives Lincoln the opportunity to participate in hip hop classes (he's a brilliant dancer) and plays rugby. He can't wait to get on the field on Saturdays! The grant will not only help cover the costs of raising a medically high needs child but also encourage and empower us as parents to emphasise the importance of the most accessible form of lung function treatment - exercise.' NZCT's GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges says, 'We're delighted to be able to help CFNZ ensure people living with CF don't face any financial barriers to participation in the holistic benefits of sport and active recreation. Having supported the programme with $80k last year as well, the stories coming out of Breath 4 CF are really inspiring. Our support wouldn't be possible without the responsible gaming fundraising partnerships we share with our local venues nationwide.' Notes: Cystic Fibrosis NZ (CFNZ) was founded in 1968 to deliver a range of vital services in order to extend and improve the lives of those living with CF. They support many of the more than six hundred people and their families affected by cystic fibrosis in New Zealand, working with people from diagnosis to change the trajectory of their lives. New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) is one of the largest gaming societies in New Zealand. In 23/24, NZCT awarded over $40 million in grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the Arts, and cultural activities. More on NZCT's grants programme, harm prevention approach, and partnership with hospitality venues throughout New Zealand:
Business Wire
7 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
Clarametyx Biosciences Announces Positive Interim Analysis in Phase 2A Study Evaluating CMTX-101 for Infections Associated With Cystic Fibrosis
COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clarametyx Biosciences, Inc. ('Clarametyx'), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immune-enabling therapies and vaccines to address biofilm-driven chronic respiratory diseases, announced today that it is advancing a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial evaluating its novel immune-enabling antibody therapy CMTX-101 to treat cystic fibrosis (CF)-associated pulmonary infections, based on the DMC's approval to proceed following results of a pre-specified interim analysis. 'Interim findings from this study have identified encouraging trends that support the potential benefit of CMTX-101, with no safety issues,' said Jerry Nick, MD, Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at National Jewish Health, and primary investigator of the study. 'The next portion of the trial will provide important insights on the potential therapeutic impact of CMTX-101 for the CF population as a novel solution to reduce the burden of chronic infections.' The ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is assessing CMTX-101 as an adjunctive therapy to standard of care antibiotics in people with CF, evaluating safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, reduction of pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa burden, and additional exploratory endpoints. An interim analysis of data from the first 21 participants enrolled met the pre-specified criteria to continue the trial at both 5 and 30 mg/kg dose levels. Participants treated with CMTX-101 demonstrated a reduction in P. aeruginosa burden based on prespecified statistical criteria and CMTX-101 was shown to be present in the sputum of all treated participants. Importantly, CMTX-101 was generally well tolerated, consistent with the findings reported in a prior clinical study, and no antidrug antibodies were detected. The upcoming portion of the study will continue evaluating both doses of CMTX-101 versus placebo among approximately 20 additional participants from 23 study sites, including significant support from the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network. Study enrollment is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. More information on the study and participating sites is available at ( using the identifier NCT06159725. 'We are pleased that the findings from the first 21 participants enrolled support progressing the study without modification. The full dataset, which will include exploratory endpoints such as respiratory function, inflammatory biomarkers and quality of life assessments, will help us further understand the full potential of CMTX-101 as a novel therapeutic solution to a variety of chronic respiratory conditions,' said David V. Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Clarametyx. 'We extend our gratitude to the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network, clinical investigators, and the participants and families for their continued participation in this important research.' About CMTX-101 CMTX-101 is an investigational immune-enabling antibody therapy in development to treat chronic and recalcitrant respiratory infections. The therapy is designed to precisely and rapidly destroy the universal underlying structure of bacterial biofilms to undermine extracellular bacterial defenses and enable more effective antibiotic and immune intervention. Because the target is universally present across bacteria, the approach can be employed to treat a range of bacterial infections and pathogen types. The goal of treatment is to dramatically improve the effectiveness of antibiotic therapies and innate immune system effectors, improving the time to resolution of the infection and reducing the need for repeated courses of antibiotics. It is currently in development to treat cystic fibrosis-associated infections, with opportunities to expand to other chronic respiratory infections including nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, non-CF bronchiectasis (NCFB), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). About Clarametyx Biosciences Clarametyx Biosciences is combating the formidable challenge of chronic, recalcitrant respiratory infections through an innovative technology platform targeting the biofilm—a protective layer around bacteria—to enable a more effective immune response and antibiotic intervention. The Columbus, Ohio-based company is building a pipeline of immune-enabling therapies and vaccines, including CMTX-101, which is in a Phase 2 study for infections associated with cystic fibrosis, and CMTX-301, which is in early development. For more information, visit us on the web or on LinkedIn.
