“Although a lot has been accomplished so far, there is much more that needs to be done. The essential ingredients for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) to be resolved in the future are; time, energy and money.” – John
IPF is a debilitating and complex disease and very little is understood about what causes the condition and how it behaves. Currently, the survival rates can be as low as some of the most devastating cancers. Unlike many people who are diagnosed with the rare condition, John learnt first-hand the devastating toll this disease could take on his life.
“I had been diagnosed with IPF and possible Post-inflammatory Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) in 2011 after a bushfire. At the time, my GP had little knowledge of the disease, so I wasn’t treated properly for three years.”
When his brother became seriously ill with IPF and passed away, John sought a second opinion and was finally connected with a respiratory specialist who has helped manage and treat his condition. With so many questions about the condition and few answers, dealing with a rare and progressive disease like IPF can have an enormous impact.
“I became very angry, as I felt I had lost time from not receiving treatment for three years. Eventually the anger subsided, and I went through a period of anxiety and depression. The uncertainty of prognosis and life expectancy weighed quite heavily for some time. Eventually I realised; I was alive today, would be tomorrow and next month and the anxiety and depression subsided”
Through our multi-million-dollar research program, Lung Foundation Australia provides seed funds to the best and brightest researchers to discover life-changing diagnosis and treatments
While living with IPF has its challenges, John is determined to help create positive change for others living with a rare lung condition.
“The researchers that give their time and energy to PF investigations are to be lauded. So far no cause has been identified, therefore there is no cure on the horizon. Any amount of money that can be pushed into research will, in time, bear significant fruit and provide hope for the many patients out there.”
“Although a lot has been accomplished so far, there is much more that needs to be done. The essential ingredients for IPF to be resolved in the future are; time, energy and money.”
To anyone who has or can give to help support dedicated PF research, John says “the biggest, loudest heartfelt “THANK YOU” I could muster.”