http://www.cysticfibrosismacarthur.org.au

Ready to make a big splash

February 8, 2012

IT will have some of the smaller participants at this weekend’s Macarthur Swimathon for Cystic Fibrosis — but this team could also be the mightiest.
The Mighty Matildas are friends and family of 10-month-old Matilda Jenkins and are ready to join the Advertiser-backed fund-raiser on Saturday.

Matilda, of The Oaks, is one of our brave local kids with the genetic disease, cystic fibrosis (CF). She was born in April last year at Campbelltown Hospital and at 36 hours old was rushed to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. She stayed for six weeks. “She’s had four surgeries on her bowel because of the effects of cystic fibrosis on the digestive tract,” said her mum Renee Jenkins. “I didn’t know a lot about CF before Matilda, and what I did know was dated — I thought it was a death sentence.”

Her parents know they cannot change their daughter’s diagnosis of CF, but they can can raise awareness of the disease and help fund research.

The whens and wheres

When: The swimathon is on February 11 at the Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre, Picton. The swimathon launch will be on February 9 at Camden Valley Inn.

Donating: Visit www.everydayhero.com.au/event/swimathonforcysticfibrosis to make a donation or visit www.stickytickets.com.au/7071 to buy a ticket to the swimathon launch.