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CFAI Grants and Support Services

Through income generated fundraising, the CFAI provides a range of grants for our members which are available provided an application is made, the grant criteria are met and there are sufficient resources. These grants are:

Exercise Grant

The purpose of this grant is to encourage PWCF to increase their physical fitness by joining a gym, purchasing some home exercise equipment, or attending exercise classes.

There will be two Rounds to this call in 2012. Round 1 will be announced here on Friday 27th January as well as in our bimonthly newsletter Spectrum. Round 2 will be announced later in the summer.

For more information on how to apply, please click here

Fertility Grant

The purpose of this grant is to provide financial support to PWCF and their respective partners who wish to undergo fertility assessment/treatment in the hope of becoming pregnant.

The maximum value of the Fertility Grant in 2010 was €2,500. For 2011, this was increased to €3,000 for first-time applicants. Members who previously availed of the fertility grant were eligible to reapply again in 2011 - the value of the grant for second-time applicants is €2,000.

The Fertility Grant Scheme 2012 will be announced in the summer. Keep am eye on this website and in Spectrum for further information, please click here.

Transplant Assessment/Transplant Grant

The CFAI provides financial assistance towards incidental expenses (accommodation, meals and transport) incurred to members and their families who must travel for transplant assessment, transplant and follow-up phases.

The transplant assessment grant is €300. The transplant grant is €850 for members attending the Mater Hospital in Dublin, and €1,200 for those attending the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, UK.

In order to avail of the transplant assessment grant, a copy of the original letter from Newcastle/Mater stating the date and time of appointment for assessment must be sent to the CFAI. Application should be made as soon as notification of appointment or assessment is sent to the family. The CFAI should be contacted directly by a member of the CF/Transplant team or by the next-of-kin of the PWCF for the transplant grant. The CFAI cannot issue this grant to members retrospectively.

Family Bereavement Grant

Following the bereavement of a family member from cystic fibrosis, the CFAI provides a bereavement grant to assist towards expenses incurred. The value of this grant is €1,500.

Domiciliary Physiotherapy Service for Newly Diagnosed Children

The CFAI currently provides a domiciliary physiotherapy service to people with CF, according to the guidelines laid down by the Association, and on the recommendation of the CF Consultant/Senior Physiotherapist. This service is primarily directed towards newly diagnosed children and to provide additional training for parents to enable them to have the confidence to apply effective physiotherapy treatment themselves in the home environment. The CFAI does consider domiciliary physiotherapy requests from adults in emergency situations, and these are approved on a case-by-case basis by the Association.

Social and Distress

The CFAI has limited funds available under the Social and Distress payments scheme which is used to lend assistance to families of children with CF and adults with CF who are experiencing certain difficulties or financial hardship as a result of CF. Requests for assistance are usually supported by a letter from the Social Worker or other health professional who has been involved in supporting the PWCF.

Counselling

The CFAI offers a counselling referral service to members who wish to speak with a professional outside of the hospital environment to work through their concerns and difficulties. The CFAI will approve four sessions initially, at an agreed rate, with the counsellor - additional sessions will be subject to approval by the CFAI. All referrals are treated in the strictest of confidence.