Tauranga cystic fibrosis sufferer Mark Passey keen to give back to community

TelferYoung company director Mark Passey plans to launch a scholarship programme for other CF sufferers. Photo/George Novak

Tauranga businessman Mark Passey says he's determined not to let cystic fibrosis limit the way he lives his life.

The TelferYoung property valuation company director was diagnosed with the life-limiting genetic disorder at age 6.

Mr Passey, 37, said that despite having to take 50 or so pills a day and needing to be strict about his fitness regime, he was "not looking for the sympathy vote" by going public.

"It's the cards I have been dealt in life and I have to make the best of it," he said.

According to Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand, CF is the most common, life-threatening genetic disorder in the country and about 500 Kiwis have the disorder.

Cystic fibrosis affects mostly the lungs and the digestive system by clogging the lungs and pancreas with thick, sticky mucus.

Treatments include regular physiotherapy to dislodge the mucus, taking nebuliser treatments daily, along with other medications and supplements. Some sufferers need lung transplants.

That included Tauranga sisters Nikki Reynolds-Wilson and Kristie Purton who recently featured in the Bay of Plenty Times.

This week is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week which is a major fundraiser for the national association to enable it to support CF sufferers and research to find a cure.

Mr Passey was also keen to raise awareness of ways people, including the local business community, could come on board.

In 1999 he won a Mark Ashford Scholarship which is Cystic Fibrosis NZ's premiere study which helped fund his Bachelor of Management degree at Massey University.

"The scholarship certainly helped me quite a lot as the study fees alone aren't cheap."

Mr Passey said he had always been keen to pay it forward and next year planned to launch a similar scholarship programme administered by Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand.

"There are quite a few people with CF out there who can't complete their education or don't have the funds to go on to university, and this is one way I can help them do so," he said.

CFNZ chief executive Jane Bollard said the organisation was grateful for all the support and assistance it received from businesses, individuals and volunteers.

"Funds raised help us to continue our services, such as contributing to research, providing education, information, advocacy and essential equipment not funded by the Government," she said.

Some key facts about Cystic Fibrosis in NZ

About 500 Kiwis have the disorder

One in 5000 Kiwi babies are born with CF

One in 25 people carry the gene

Current life-expectancy is the mid-30s

* To make a donation visit cfnz.org.nz