Every day this bright, bubbly 11-year-old girl has to take more than 30 tablets and undergo vigorous physiotherapy treatments.
Isla Tander was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just two weeks old.
The disease was one of the most common, life-limiting diseases affecting children and adults in Australia.
Isla’s mother Emma Tander said the family were shocked and saddened when they first heard of the diagnosis but were hopeful she would live a fulfilled life.
“If you meet her you wouldn’t be aware that she has cystic fibrosis,” she said.
“She has been very lucky but her body has to work ten times harder to allow her to play sports and be like any other kid.”
Isla visits Perth Children’s Hospital every three months to attend a clinic to undergo lung function tests and blood tests with her specialist team.
Her family have to maintain a high level of hygiene as Isla has a compromised immune system meaning if she gets sick she has to up her medical routine.
Isla and her family fundraise throughout the year to raise awareness about the disease including taking part in last weekend’s HBF Run for a Reason and selling roses for tomorrow’s 65 Roses Day.
65 Roses Day enables Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia to provide support services and critical research funding to improve the lives of people living with the disease.
For more information about the disease or to donate visit the Cystic Fibrosis WA website or call 6457 7333.
