Lesley Griffiths AM has shown her support for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers by having the volume of air her lungs can hold measured at an event held to mark Cystic Fibrosis Week 2012 .
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust this week invited Assembly Members from across the political spectrum to have their lung capacities measured to see how they fared in comparison to people with the condition.
Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive disease which makes breathing more and more difficult. Two die each week as a result of Cystic Fibrosis and average life expectancy people who live with the condition is around 29 years old. However, clinical advances and improvements in treatment mean this is increasing every year.
Average lung capacity for an adult with cystic fibrosis is around one fifth of the normal expected capacity of a UK adult, measuring 65 ‘percent’ as compared to the expected 80 ‘percent’ for a person without the condition. After taking the Spirometry test, Lesley Griffiths measured 102 ‘percent’ making her amongst the highest scoring Assembly Members on the day.
Commenting, Lesley Griffiths AM said:
“This event really served to highlight the plight of people who live with Cystic Fibrosis, and I was pleased to have been able to show my support for the valuable work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
“The lung function test really brings home how difficult it can be for people who live with Cystic Fibrosis to simply take a breath. The average lung capacity of someone with the condition is almost exactly two thirds of my own. Imagine having to put in 150% of the normal effort in simply to breathe.
“There are numerous event as part of Cystic Fibrosis week taking place across Wales, I would encourage people to go to www.cftrust.org.uk, to see what is taking place near you and show your support.”
