"Secret Mission: CF", the first interactive children's book
for Cystic Fibrosis in Greece
An initiative of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association for young and old patients, their parents and caregivers, the doctors who are at their side, but also for every person who wants to unlock the secrets of the most common genetic disease and discover how we can cope with every difficulty in our lives.
"This is not a usual book, it's a journey. A secret mission that aims to show kids that if they follow their schedule, nothing can stop their limitless potential. Because CF, like any difficulty, cannot and should not limit anyone's life!"
The book was created during the European Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week 2023 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association. The writing and illustration was undertaken by the known author of children’s books, Liana Denezaki, in collaboration with the Cystic Fibrosis Scientific Committee and the Board of Directors of the Association. The book was kindly supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and was presented for the first time at the conference “Cystic Fibrosis: Preparing for Future”, on 3/12/2023, at Innovathens Technopolis, Municipality of Athens. The book and the accompanying kit, which contains the secret agent’s tools are distributed free of charge from the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and the Greek CF Centers.
Message to young and old readers
The “Secret Mission: CF” is a gift from the older “children” with CF and our parents to younger patients, but also to anyone who wants to learn about the most common gentic disease of Cystic Fibrosis.
A legacy to younger generations, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of our Association.
The idea was born when adult CF patients wondered what they we would advise themselves to do if we went back in time. As a need to unravel the mystery of the disease and unlock its secrets.
For those of you who have completed “Secret Mission: CF”, remember that the journey is not over. On the contrary, it’s starting now!
We hope that this book will be a trigger for the discovery of the limitless possibilities that not only anyone with Cystic Fibrosis has, but also every person who faces any difficulty in his/her life!
The book and the companion kit with the secret agent’s tools are distributed free of charge by the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and the CF Pediatric Centers and Clinics to patients with Cystic Fibrosis, their caregivers, but also to anyone who wishes to unlock the secrets of the disease. Below you can browse through the book and fill in your contact infoin order to obtain it free of charge from our Association.
Message to the secret agents
Congratulations! I f you are here it means that you have successfully completed all the tests and are now part of the CF secret team. Now you are officially our agent!
First of all, I will reveal to you how I was inspired my name. For Chloe’s sake I did a lot of research until I found the one that would suit me best. Kiri! Kiri is a rare, special, beautiful and impressive tree – just like me. However, I didn’t choose it for any of the above reasons, but because its main feature is its amazing oxygen productivity. This tree consumes more carbon dioxide and produces the most oxygen than any other tree on our planet. That is why it has such large leaves. To give you an idea of the power of kiri, it captures 21.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide every day, which it converts into almost 6 kilograms of oxygen. Scientists say that planting many of these trees could be the answer to fighting climate change. On the other hand, I believe that it symbolizes exactly what Chloe, like our planet, needs most: the Unlimited Breath.
As you may have noticed, on the cover of the book there is a sign showing the lungs with the words: Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association. (Can you replace the “C” in “Cystic” with “M”) and read the name of the Association?
Well, now that you know, it’s time to find out how this Association was created:
The Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association was founded 41 years ago, in 1983, by parents of young children with Cystic Fibrosis. Mums and dads all joined together and became one big team to fight for their children to have access to all the medicines they need to be well. Over the years the children grew up and became members of the Association’s team. Today parents and patients are fighting together for a better future with Unlimited Breath!
And now it's time to check the correct answers in your book:
Page 6
CYSTIC FIBROSIS (okay, that was easy!)
Page 7
Brain
Eye
Heart
Lungs
Page 13
Physiotherapy
Medicines
Page 15
Do the words “cavities” and “gingivitis” mean anything to you? They are oral diseases caused by plaque germs that form on the teeth when we don’t brush and brush them properly. Now think what would happen if we didn’t wash them AT ALL!
Toothache, bad breath, difficulty chewing food, bad teeth, teeth that need to come out, swelling. There you go, I’ve found not 3 but 6 things, and if I think about it some more, I’ll fill 3 pages, not just 3 lines!
Page 21
In a circle you need to put: meat, yoghurt, chocolate, nuts, toast milk, bread with tahini and honey, bread with jam
Delete: banana, orange juice, carrot, apple, hummus, bean salad, broccoli
Page 23
You already know the answer, but let me point out that children with C.F. are not different from other children.
Page 27
You must have spotted 10 grapefruits in the picture.
Page 28
Correct answers
1Γ, 2Β, 3Β, 4Α, 5Β, 6Α, 7Α, 8Α, 9Γ
And now you can fill in your contact info here, so you can receive our news. Of course, you can also send us your questions, ideas and share with us your thoughts.
Flip through it!
You can flip through the book. If you like it, press the button to fill in the form
so we can send it to you with the Secret Agent’s gear!
Special thank to the author and illustrator of the book, Mrs Liana Denezaki, the scientific committee of C.F. and our doctors, the members of the Board of Directors and all the members of our Association for their contribution so that the “Secret Mission: C.F.” could take shape, exactly as we envisioned it. We thank Vertex Pharmaceuticals for their kind support, thanks to which our book became a reality.