When Sophia was born, her mum Sarah never imagined her little girl might not live past 40. 

Born early and small, Sophia struggled to feed and gain weight, but her symptoms seemed like those of many newborns. Then came the call: the heel prick test had picked up something serious. Sophia had cystic fibrosis, one of the most common life-limiting genetic conditions in Australia. 

Now eight, Sophia does daily physiotherapy, takes dozens of tablets with food, and avoids simple colds that could land her in hospital. Even a mild illness could mean weeks of IV antibiotics and permanent lung damage. 

While treatment has improved dramatically, it’s not enough. Children with cystic fibrosis still face shortened lives. 

At Children’s Medical Research Institute, Professor Leszek Lisowski is working on a potential gene therapy that could change everything — a single injection that corrects the genetic error at the root of cystic fibrosis. 

Sarah says she holds onto that hope every day. Because every child deserves a full life, and every breath matters. 

Donate now and support the research that could change Sophia’s future.