And the winners of the 2017 Mykidstime Charity of the Year are…

Thanks to everyone who voted, here are the final results:

So the first Mykidstime Charity of the Year is Cystic Fibrosis Ireland who won the popular vote and then for our 2nd Charity of the Year the Mykidstime Team has chosen iCan (Children’s Arthritis Network).

About Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is Ireland’s most common life threatening inherited disease. People with CF have two copies of an altered gene that causes CF, one inherited from each parent. 1 in 19 people in Ireland carry one copy of the altered gene that causes CF. If both parents carry the defective gene, their child has a one in four change of being born with CF. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world.

The faulty gene causes a thick sticky mucus to be produced that damages organs, particularly the lungs and digestive system. A build-up of mucus makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause life-threatening lung infections and also makes it difficult for the body to release enzymes and digest food. Early symptoms include failure to gain weight, chest infections and breathing difficulties.

There is no known cure for cystic fibrosis with research is ongoing to find a cure. While life expectancy and quality of life has increased steadily over the past 20 years thanks to research and improved management of the disease, the median age of death from CF in Ireland remains just 27 years of age.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) is a voluntary organisation set up by parents of children with CF in 1963 to improve the treatment and facilities for people with CF in Ireland. We are supported by fundraising and voluntary contributions. Support provided includes

• CF Facilities – CFI provided €7.4m funding in the last 2 years towards CF units at hospitals around the country
• CF Staff – funding to support provision of CF specialised staff in these units)
• Treatments – securing access to new and innovative treatments such as Kalydeco / Orkambi
• Transplants – support for equipment and staff to the Lung Transplant Unit at the Mater Hospital and
• Grants – direct support for people with CF in Ireland via Exercise, Fertility, Transplant, Bereavement, Social & Distress and Counselling Grants.

For more information and to donate online visit www.cfireland.ie, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CysticFibrosisIreland and on Twitter at @cf_ireland.

About iCAN

Our primary goal is to raise awareness of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and other Rheumatological conditions in Ireland; however, we also provide a 24hr helpline. As well as this, we organise water activity days,hydrotherapy sessions an annual teen breakaway, soft play days and Christmas parties for the children. For the adults we organise information days and coffee mornings.

We also advocate for better Rheumatology services. The waiting list for new patients currently stands at 2yrs in OLCHC. The delay in early diagnosis can be catastrophic.

We are a parent led national charity, all volunteers, no one takes a salary.

To find out more and donate online visit www.icanireland.ie. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/icanireland and on Twitter at @iCANIreland.

All the charities are very worthy charities that help and support children and families so we ask you to keep them in mind this year when donating to charity.

PS 2018 Charity Vote nominations will open in December 2017