Songs Were Sung for Children

Turkchem 24 May 2016 27 2 dk okuma

TURKCHEM

At Zorlu PSM, Zuhal Olcay and the Sinema Senfoni Orkestrası took the stage for children with Cystic Fibrosis, giving the audience unforgettable moments.

Zorlu PSM hosts benefit concert for cystic fibrosis children as Zuhal Olcay and Cinema Symphony Orchestra perform

On Monday evening, 23 May, Zuhal Olcay and the Cinema Symphony Orchestra took the stage for Turkey's first fully equipped Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis and Treatment Centre.

Under the slogan 'Better Breathing, Better Life', Istanbul Caddebostan Rotary Club and Cystic Fibrosis Mutual Aid and Solidarity Association (KifDer) organised a benefit concert at Zorlu PSM to establish a Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis and Treatment Centre at Marmara University Research Hospital.

The concert, made possible through the unconditional support of Zorlu PSM, Biletix and Kral POP TV, was enhanced by the compelling presentation of Volkan Severcan.

Prominent guests from business, arts, music and civil society attended the evening, and all concerned individuals and organisations provided their support.

Speaking at the press conference held before the concert, KifDer (Cystic Fibrosis Mutual Aid and Solidarity Association) Chair İlknur Görgün noted that cystic fibrosis is often confused with other respiratory and digestive tract diseases, preventing early diagnosis.

She stated that an estimated 20,000 cystic fibrosis patients are believed to exist in Turkey, with only 2,000 diagnosed. She added that through the newborn screening programme, the Ministry of Health has designated various Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis and Treatment Centres in different provinces, and they have undertaken various initiatives to accelerate the process of establishing these centres, equipping them fully, and transforming them into centres known and actively used by patients.

İlknur Görgün stated: 'Patients need access to the most effective treatment equipment and psycho-social support to improve their quality of life in order to maintain their adherence to daily treatment. For this, cooperation between relevant public institutions, family members of patients and healthcare workers dedicated to cystic fibrosis is very important to us.'

WHAT IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS?

"Cystic fibrosis" is a hereditary disease for which there is currently no cure. This disease affects the secretory glands of many organs from birth, causing functional disorders in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. This disease, which occurs in approximately 1 in 3,000 people in our country, typically presents symptoms within the first one or two years of life. Patients with cystic fibrosis require treatment exceeding three hours daily. Patients need fully equipped diagnosis and treatment centres in order to maintain adherence to daily treatment and to receive the most effective therapies.