A young woman has become the first Australian with Cystic fibrosis to Summit Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro; the highest point of Africa has been making crazy people worldwide for decades. Out of 30,000 climbers coming to achieve the glorious victory of Mt. Kili climber all have different reasons to do so. While some are intended to climb Kilimanjaro for fun, some for adventure, some for enjoying the mountain, some for setting a benchmark, and some for fund-raising.

We have heard many stories of the brave-hearted who have Climbed Kilimanjaro and reached its summit successfully. Out of them, few are physically challenged and few are extremely old or young to touch the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895 high.

Today, we are presenting the story of another brave-hearted hero of Kilimanjaro; Meg Draffin. At first meet, you might think she is a normal person and there is nothing heroic that she achieved the climbed Kilimanjaro. However, this full-time digital marketing professional is affected by Cystic Fibrosis which affects the lungs and digestive system.

The 24 years old Australian girl was diagnosed with this disease when she was just six weeks old. The disease is unfortunately not curable. Since it is an incurable disease Meg is going under medical treatment till the disease got diagnosed.

The disease is a genetic one and is not curable by any medication. Earlier those who used to get diagnosed with CF used to survive until very tender age (maximum up to 8-9 years). Though the lifespan has now increased with better medical treatment. People with CF are now continuing till their 30s, 40s, or more.

This life-threatening disease first affects the lungs of the person and the digestive system as well. Chronic respiratory infection in the lungs can reduce lung function very soon. Cystic Fibrosis is one of the common diseases in Australia and 1 child born in 2,500 is affected by Cystic Fibrosis.

Neg Draffin being an affected person by CF is going through a strict treatment procedure. Every day she wakes up at 5; 30 in the morning practicing her physiotherapy, exercise, and daily medications. As she is one of the sufferers she decided to help people like her, the children that are getting diagnosed with the same disease.

 She decided to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and be the first Australian trekker to reach Uhuru Peak of Kilimanjaro with Cystic Fibrosis. The climb was intended only to raise funds for the CF sufferers. Meg wanted to raise funds through Kilimanjaro Climb and donate it 100% to the CF clinic at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The clinic is delivering world-class treatment to the kids who are suffering from CF and serving around 200 kids with the same each day. Meg herself was treated by the clinic till she got to her adult age. To treat these kids the hospital needs a number of the staff, equipment needs, and research support and for that Meg climbed Kilimanjaro.

Meg with a lot of support from her family, friends, and especially her boyfriend Nathan Roye achieved the hard climbing successfully. She completed the climb with her boyfriend Nathan. She didn’t want to stop even once out of exhaust or breathing problem however she has lungs issue. She said her boyfriend constantly supported her during the climb while Nathan Roye is proud to claim her as one of the most determined and strongest people.

We at Ascend Tanzania heartily congratulate Meg with her successful journey and salute her bravery. We are looking forward to publishing such stories before you.