Foundation releases film on cystic fibrosis amid COVID-19

Emily’s Entourage, a non-profit foundation, has released a film titled ‘Unmasked: Cystic Fibrosis in times of COVID-19’ to raise awareness on the plight of patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine, causing difficulty breathing and coughing as a result of frequent lung infections.

Supported by A3W, a global strategic communications agency, the film takes a critical look at the lives of people suffering from the disease amid the coronavirus pandemic following the similarity in symptoms.

It is estimated that there are about 70,000 people with CF who are among the so-called risk groups against COVID-19 and have to take extreme precautions; confine themselves to avoid the virus.

While confinement seems to have served as a refuge, the foundation calls for social responsibility and citizen collaboration, since the pandemic may also have other consequences for these patients.

According to the European Society for Cystic Fibrosis, 126 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in CF patients, of which data from 121 are available. Nine needed intensive care and three have died.

With this production, the non-profit foundation aims to make society aware of the harsh reality that CF patients are experiencing, including the paralysis of medical consultations amid the crisis.