A September full of activities to raise awareness about the most common inherited disease!
With the central message of “Unlimited Breath”, the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association is marking this year’s World Cystic Fibrosis Day on September 8 into the kickoff of a month of activities featuring a multifaceted program that highlights different aspects of life with cystic fibrosis.
From informing and raising awareness in society to educating the younger generation, providing practical support for patients, and advancing scientific knowledge, this September brings cystic fibrosis into the spotlight.
As stated by the President of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, Anna Spinou:
“Behind the word ‘breath’ lie things that, for us patients with cystic fibrosis, are not to be taken for granted—such as the ability to grow up, finish school, go to college, work, live, and plan your future, dream, and move forward despite the many limitations that cystic fibrosis imposes on our daily lives.”
This year, we’re spreading the message of World Cystic Fibrosis Day through activities throughout the month, because cystic fibrosis has many different aspects and patients have daily needs.
For us, the “Unlimited Breath” campaign means equal and timely access to treatments, care, and lung transplants; more opportunities in daily life; a better quality of life, and a future with fewer limitations for every child and adult with cystic fibrosis.
“It is a struggle that we, as people with cystic fibrosis, face every day of the year, from the day we are born and for the rest of our lives.”
September 8 — Greece Lights Up for Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonary Fibrosis
Two different diseases. Two associations. One shared breath.
September 8, 2026 – World Cystic Fibrosis Day
September – Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month
To mark September 8 and Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and the Panhellenic Pulmonary Fibrosis Association are joining forces to raise awareness of these two diseases and the needs of people living with themto society, by illuminating three iconic landmarks throughout Greece.
ATHENS – HELLENIC PARLIAMENT
The facade of the Parliament building will feature a specially designed artwork dedicated to cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
THESSALONIKI – ZOGGOLOPOULOU UMBRELLAS
The iconic structure on Thessaloniki’s beachfront will be symbolically illuminated in blue-turquoise, conveying the shared message of the two associations.
RIO-ANTIRRIO – “CHARILAOS TRIKOUPIS” BRIDGE
The Rio-Antirrio Bridge will be symbolically illuminated in blue, while electronic signs will display a message about World Cystic Fibrosis Day and Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, conveying the joint message of the two associations to drivers crossing the bridge.
The joint message from the two associations will reach every corner of the country.
Two different diseases, both of which are rare and involve the lungs and breathing. In fact, they are often confused because they share the word “fibrosis.”
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited, multisystemic disease that patients are born with and that affects many organs, primarily the lungs and the pancreas.
Pulmonary Fibrosis usually develops in adulthood and affects the lungs, where scarring of the lung tissue occurs, progressively making it difficult to breathe.
Although different in their causes and progression, the two diseases share a common challenge: breathing.
Two strong patient communities!
A shared effort for greater visibility, better care, and a better life.
Learn more:
Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association— https://www.cysticfibrosis.gr/
“Lungs of Life” Pulmonary Fibrosis Association— https://ipfgreece.gr/
The “Unlimited Breath” initiative continues with the donation of 75 ventilators throughout Greece
For the second consecutive year, METLEN is supporting the Respiratory Equipment Donation Program of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, helping to provide practical support to patients with cystic fibrosis and lung transplant recipients throughout Greece.
In observance of World Cystic Fibrosis Day, the program continues this year with the free distribution of 75 respiratory devices to children and adults with cystic fibrosis and lung transplant recipients.
With the generous support of METLEN this year 60 personal spirometers and 15 nebulizers will be provided free of charge to patients, offering valuable tools for the daily monitoring and management of their respiratory health.
This initiative is part of the Association’s ongoing effort to support patients through actions that can tangibly improve their daily lives.
The Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association extends its heartfelt thanks to METLEN for its trust and steadfast support of its work, which enables us to continue providing meaningful assistance to patients throughout Greece.
Applications for the free distribution of respiratory devices throughout Greece are now being accepted. Interested patients can submit their application using the form:
cysticfibrosis.gr/draseis/ipostiriksi-asthenon/dorean-parochi-anapnefstikou-exoplismou/
September 13—The “Secret Mission: K.I.²” Educational Campaign returns to the 54th Book Festival
Have you discovered the hidden talents within yourself?
The “Secret Mission: C.I.² – Cystic Fibrosis & Hidden Talents”, the educational campaign of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, which originated from the children’s book of the same name, returns to the 54th Book Festival at Pedion tou Areos, inviting children and families to join a big, interactive adventure!
On September 13, *The Secret Mission* comes to life from the pages of the book and comes to life on the Festival’s Main Stage! Chloe and Kiri, the book’s two heroes, are waiting for “secret agents” of all ages with interactive storytelling, games, music, songs, missions, gifts, and surprises in an interactive experience that will help them discover their own Hidden Abilities.
Main Stage, 54th Book Festival – Pedion tou Areos – Sunday, September 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – Free admission
At the end of the event, the mission continues with a free distribution of books, gifts, and surprises, as well as a book signing by the author and illustrator of the book, Liana Denezaki.
View the detailed event schedule and learn about the “Secret Mission: K.I.²” Educational Campaign, the book, and the educational materials on the official website: secretmission.cysticfibrosis.gr
“Secret Mission: K.I.²” transforms information about a chronic and often “invisible” disease into a hands-on learning experience for all children. Through the book, creative missions, and educational tools, children learn about cystic fibrosis while discovering their own “Hidden Abilities” in the face of life’s challenges—big or small, visible or invisible: courage, self-confidence, cooperation, empathy, acceptance of diversity, and the power of TOGETHER. The campaign is touring schools and the educational community, bringing awareness about cystic fibrosis into the classroom through modern, experiential learning tools.
The “Secret Mission” will also feature the AB Vasilopoulos’s volunteer group, the YABers, whose invaluable volunteer support will help make the event a success and assist “secret agents” of all ages in completing their mission!
The Educational Campaign was designed and is being implemented by the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, in creative collaboration with author and illustrator Liana Denezaki. It is conducted under the Scientific Patronage of the Research Institute for Inclusion, Citizenship, and Mental Health at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (SY.PO.PSY.), the Hellenic Society of Pediatric Pulmonology, the Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM), and the Hellenic Society of Pulmonology. Platinum Sponsor of the Educational Campaign is Vertex Pharmaceuticals, while the campaign is supported by the Hellenic-American Union, Specialty Therapeutics, and PrintServe.
The Secret Mission awaits us! Get ready to discover together the Hidden Talents that lie within us!
September 30 – Webinar: “Cystic Fibrosis & Nutrition”
The Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association’s activities in observance of World Cystic Fibrosis Day will conclude on the last day of September with the online webinar “Cystic Fibrosis & Nutrition: Modern Approaches and Personalized Care,” which will take place on September 30 at 7:00 p.m..
The webinar is organized by the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, in scientific collaboration with the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists, with the participation of specialized healthcare professionals.
Nutritional care for cystic fibrosis varies and is not the same for everyone. Newer treatments have significantly altered the course of the disease for many people with cystic fibrosis, creating new needs and challenges, while nutritional needs vary depending on each person’s age, treatment, and clinical condition.
The webinar will address nutrition at all stages and in all circumstances of life with cystic fibrosis, from children and adults who are taking CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) modulators, newer drug therapies that target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis by correcting the protein dysfunction caused by mutations in the gene of the same name) to individuals who do not receive or are not eligible for these specific treatments, as well as those with special needs, such as those who have undergone lung transplants. Through Contemporary scientific approaches, practical examples, and discussion with the audience, the goal is to highlight why nutritional care today, more than ever, needs to be personalized.
This webinar is intended for people with cystic fibrosis and their families, as well as their caregivers, and for dietitians, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals, offering them the opportunity to learn about the latest developments and challenges in the nutritional management of cystic fibrosis and to ask the speakers their own questions.
Participation is free. The detailed program, the speakers, and registration via Zoom will be announced shortly.
Cystic Fibrosis Today
Cystic Fibrosis, the most common inherited disease in Greece, is a serious, chronic, and multisystemic genetic disorder that patients are born with and that primarily affects the lungs and the pancreas.
In Greece, more than 500,000 people are carriers of the disease, without becoming ill themselves. When both parents are carriers, with every pregnancy there is There is a 25% chance that the child will be born with cystic fibrosis.
More than 100,000 people worldwide live with cystic fibrosis, while in Greece there are more than 900 patients. Despite significant progress in recent years, daily life with cystic fibrosis remains challenging. Respiratory physical therapy, inhaled treatments, medication, exercise and nutritional support, and often hospital stays lasting several days for intravenous treatment are all part of a systematic care regimen that can take up several hours each day.
In recent years, new, innovative treatments that target the causes of the disease have significantly changed the course of cystic fibrosis for a large number of patients, improving their quality of life and opening up new prospects. However, cystic fibrosis remains a chronic and serious condition with no definitive cure, and not all patients can benefit from the available treatments.
For patients who reach end-stage respiratory failure, lung transplantation remains the only life-saving option, highlighting the vital importance of organ donation.
September 8, 2026 – World Cystic Fibrosis Day
More information about cystic fibrosis and the Association’s activities: cysticfibrosis.gr
