Living with CF can be isolating. It makes connecting with community—by reading, listening, or watching—all the more important.
We have compiled this list of resources that can help make that connection. We’ll update this list as we can, and we welcome your suggestions of podcasts, vlogs and blogs, books, articles, films, or songs to include.
Send your suggestions to admin@cfcc.org.au
CF Podcasts
This selection of podcasts covers a range of topics from both an Australian and international perspective. Do you have a suggestion for a podcast to add to this list? Contact us at admin@cfcc.org.au
- CF Strong Podcast: The CF Strong podcast covers a broad range of topics including the challenges and successes of those living with cystic fibrosis. You’ll hear real firsthand experiences and stories.
- A Cystic Fibrosis Life by Cystic Fibrosis Queensland: A Cystic Fibrosis Life focuses on discussing the myriad of challenges facing a person living with cystic fibrosis.
- ABC’s Earshot: My beautiful lungs – living with cystic fibrosis: This episode of ABC’s Earshot features Jo, Isobel and Ruby who all live with CF.
- Awards Australia podcast: Episode 12 – Emmah Money: In this episode of the Awards Australia podcast, host Josh chats with Emmah Money, a mum of two, an author and motivational speaker who has CF.
- Two Peas In A Podcast: Sisters Anna and Janette talk about Cystic Fibrosis: In this episode, hosts Kate and Mandy speak with Janette, who lives with CF, and her sister, Anna.
- What The CF! A Cystic Fibrosis Podcast: Launched in 2021, What the CF! Is a podcast from New Zealand sharing the stories and experiences of those navigating CF.
- Straight From The Lungs: Straight From The Lungs is a podcast that shares stories from people within the Cystic Fibrosis community about a range of topics.
- Breathe In – A Cystic Fibrosis podcast: Hosted by Gunnar Esiason and Tiffany Rich and Lea Faraone, Breathe In explores the various experiences people with CF may have in their lives.
CF Books
From children’s books to memoirs, this selection of books features a range of different perspectives and voices. Do you have a suggestion for a book to add to this list? Contact us at admin@cfcc.org.au
- The Mystery of the Sixty-Five Roses by Sandi Bowie: “When Darcy tells Jeremy that she hasn’t been to school all week because she has sixty-five roses, Jeremy is determined to find the roses for himself and see if he can get extra time off school. The Mystery of the Sixty-Five Roses is a picture book that helps children to learn about Cystic Fibrosis.” You can buy a copy of The Mystery of the Sixty-Five Rose from Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia.
- Liam, Strong as a Tree by Meghan Behse and Liam Wilson. Illustrated by Leesa Ervin: “Liam couldn’t be happier. He’s off to kindergarten, where he’s going to make a million new friends and learn a billion new things! Mom is worried about Liam going to school, but Liam knows he’ll be fine. He has his oxygen mask and his medication for lunch and snack time. Plus, he knows he’s strong as a tree. Inspired by a real boy and his first year of school while battling cystic fibrosis, read how Liam’s young friends, with compassion and support, remind Liam of his own strength during the isolating time of illness.”
- Growing Up Disabled in Australia, edited by Carly Findlay: “One in five Australians has a disability. Yet disabled people are still underrepresented in the media and in literature. In Growing Up Disabled in Australia – compiled by writer and appearance activist Carly Findlay OAM – more than forty writers with a disability or chronic illness share their stories, in their own words.”
- Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine Forever by Bijal P. Trivedi: “From science writer Bijal P. Trivedi, Breath from Salt chronicles the riveting saga of cystic fibrosis, from its ancient origins to its identification in the autopsy room of a hospital basement, and from the CF gene’s celebrated status as one of the first human disease genes ever discovered to the groundbreaking targeted genetic therapies that now promise to cure it.”
- Coughing It All Up: Chronicles of a remarkable life despite cystic fibrosis by Luke Peters: “Born in 1972, Luke Peters was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. His parents were told it was likely that he would spend much of his childhood in hospital and would be lucky to reach his teenage years. Almost 50 years later, Luke is still fending off the impacts of CF with one hand whilst grabbing life and all that it has to offer with the other. With a steadfast resolve to fulfil his ambitions and a determination not to let cystic fibrosis define him, Luke has filled his life with achievements that few would have predicted possible at his birth.”
- Life happens for you: Backpacking the world with Cystic Fibrosis by Denise Yahrling: “A young woman on a journey to her inner self: Although Denise suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, she refuses to let this chronic illness bring her down. On the contrary, she insists on living life to the fullest. In her early twenties she discovers her passion for travelling, shoulders her backpack and sets off to discover the world. Many trips will follow. And these journeys, the people who cross her path and her experiences will change Denise forever.”
CF Articles and Stories
From the origins of CF to the challenges of transplant, this selection of articles covers a range of different experiences and topics from an Australian and international perspective. Do you have a suggestion for an article to add to this list? Contact us at admin@cfcc.org.au
- Tracking Down the Origins of Cystic Fibrosis in Ancient Europe by Philip Farrell: CF is the most common genetic disease among Caucasians, and how it became so widespread is something of a mystery
- Australian cystic fibrosis patient Jackie Fraser, 29, breathes without oxygen after lung transplant: “It’s a lot of ups and downs. I’m still trying to manage this new life.”
- What I wish you knew about my life with cystic fibrosis: “A lot of people look at me and don’t think there’s anything wrong. My disease is invisible.”
- Blindsided by CF at 52 by Todd Irwin: “In 2020, I went from having almost no knowledge about cystic fibrosis to the shocking revelation that I’ve actually been battling CF my entire life. At 53 years old, I’m still a work in progress, but I’m facing this new diagnosis head-on.”
- World-first technology breathes new life into cystic fibrosis detection and treatment: World-first research led by Monash University could hold the key to better monitoring and treatment of lung disease associated with cystic fibrosis.
- Cystic fibrosis: current therapeutic targets and future approaches: Study of currently approved drugs and exploration of future clinical development pipeline therapeutics for cystic fibrosis, and possible limitations in their use.
