Last month, the agency announced provisional Trikafta funding<\/a> from April 1 for children aged 2 to 5 with cystic fibrosis. <\/p>\n Competing in Ironman<\/p>\n Parsons\u2019 goal was to become the first New Zealand woman with cystic fibrosis to complete an Ironman at the March 7 event in Taup\u014d.<\/p>\n Athletes would complete a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run.<\/p>\n For Parsons, an IT professional by trade, competing in the iconic event was a \u201cfull-circle moment\u201d. <\/p>\n She said Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (CFNZ) was the charity sponsor of Ironman New Zealand when she was younger.<\/p>\n As a teenager, athlete Patrick Bristowe was her \u201cIronman buddy\u201d, and she ran down the finish chute alongside him.<\/p>\n Watching Ironman as a child was \u201cquite an inspiration\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n Completing it would prove she had \u201call the capabilities of a normal healthy person and I\u2019m not limited by CF\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be really cool to \u2026 motivate other young kids with CF to stay healthy, and that they can totally have these goals.\u201d<\/p>\n Parsons said she was training about 12 hours per week, sometimes more.<\/p>\n In the past month, she had swum 16km, cycled 640km, and run 83km.<\/p>\n As a Taup\u014d local, she felt fortunate to train on the course.<\/p>\n Parsons said it would mean \u201ca lot\u201d to her to cross the finish line, but it may \u201calmost mean more\u201d to the family and friends who supported her throughout her cystic fibrosis journey.<\/p>\n \u201cMum and Dad were so supportive growing up, and it took a huge toll on them.\u201d<\/p>\n Her mother had since died, \u201cbut for Dad to see me do this would be a huge achievement for him and make him really proud\u201d.<\/p>\n Her brother, Duncan Parsons, would be racing alongside her.<\/p>\n Parsons was using her Ironman campaign to fundraise for CFNZ.<\/p>\n She was almost halfway to her goal of raising $10,000, and was considering increasing it to $20,000.<\/p>\n She acknowledged CFNZ\u2019s work and advocacy in getting Trikafta funded, and the support it gave people with cystic fibrosis and their families.<\/p>\n CFNZ executive lead Simone Brown said that adults in the cystic fibrosis community continued to push boundaries and set incredibly high bars for achievement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt not only demonstrates the strength and resilience of living with cystic fibrosis but shines a bright light on the potential life and future that our younger generations can look forward to and be inspired by.\u201d<\/p>\n She said they would be cheering Parsons on \u201call the way to the finish line\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is such an exciting moment for our community.\u201d <\/p>\n To support Parsons\u2019 fundraising, visit her Givealittle page<\/a>.<\/p>\nKirsty Parsons is training 12 hours per week, sometimes more, for the Ironman New Zealand race in Taup\u014d on March 7. Photo \/ Grace Lowry<\/p>\n
Kirsty Parsons has been taking Trikafta since 2018. Photo \/ Grace Lowry<\/p>\n