A WOMAN living with cystic fibrosis is supporting a series of events to raise awareness of the disease.

Kat Howard, 27, from Pickering, was diagnosed when she was five, after suffering constant chest infections and colds.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,800 people in the UK.

People with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body.

Kat, who is currently having treatment at York Hospital, said: “The problem with having cystic fibrosis is that it is very difficult to plan ahead as I never know how well I am going to be.

“Some days the effects are so bad that I haven’t got the energy to get dressed, particularly if I have been up all night coughing.”

Kat, who works at The George pub in Malton, requires intensive treatment every three months for up to three weeks.

She is raising funds for the York Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit at York Hospital with the help of her aunt Ann Bowley, who she lives with. Ann said: “Kat is still up and down and is currently on a new drug, but it is early days and it will take some time to get used to the affects. In general terms Kat is mentally and physically as well as she can be and a typical 27-year-old.”

Ann has organised a display at Pickering Library for Cystic Fibrosis Week, which runs until Sunday.

She said: “The display features Kat and how she deals with life as a cystic fibrosis-er on a day-to-day basis.”

Ann and Kat are also organising a quiz on Tuesday, July 4, at 8.45pm, at the Black Swan, in Pickering. Pickering’s own quiz master Bruce Pickup will be helping once again with the quiz; and our hosts at the Black Swan, Jill and Phil Hall, and team look forward to welcoming the quizzers once again. Please come and help fund research for this life threatening disease, and take opportunity to find out more about the disease.”