Red Lantern Ball to raise funds for Tasmanians with cystic fibrosis

AN Asian-inspired Red Lantern Ball will raise money for Tasmanians with cystic fibrosis.

Megan Geeves, friend of Brooke Butterworth who has Cystic Fibrosis, and Pris Stansfield, chair of the organising committee for the Cystic Fibrosis Ball, this year with the theme of a Red Lantern Ball

AN Asian-inspired Red Lantern Ball will be held in Hobart on Saturday to raise money for Tasmanians with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania executive officer Paula Wriedt said Tasmania had the highest rate of carriers of the CF gene in Australia and the second highest in the world, with one in 20 carrying the gene.

“Already within six months of this year, three newborn babies in Tasmania have been diagnosed with CF, and just a few months ago yet another Tasmanian sadly lost her battle with the condition,” she said.

“Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 so that we can buy lifesaving medical equipment for those Tasmanians living with CF.

“Some years we spend around $40,000 on items like nebulisers, pumps and other essential equipment that helps people with CF to clear their airways from the thick, sticky mucus that builds up in their lungs, making breathing difficult. Hopefully if we raise more than this, we can provide some extras like iPads for our CF children when they are in hospital — a regular occurrence for those living with the condition.”

Brooke Butterworth was diagnosed with CF at the age of four and had a double lung transplant five years ago, aged 25. She said she was now on the board of Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania because she wanted to give something back after all the assistance and support it had provided during her treatment.

At the ball, there will be a special presentation to Jonathan Elliott, who competed in the Transcontinental Cycling Race in July — a gruelling race leaving from London, crossing 12 countries and arriving 14 days later in Istanbul. He raised $4500 for Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania.

The ball will feature more than $18,000 in prizes.

Tickets sales close tomorrow, go to www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/tas/our-events