Hi! I'm Cavan Arrowsmith, 24, from the West Midlands and a sufferer of Cystic Fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) and thanks to your donations and motivating messages I've just made the 10 month round-the-world trip I've dreamed about possible.
I am home now, back in the chilly UK, and had an amazing time. My backpack once weighed, whilst checking in for a flight, a whopping 34kg - I did manage to carry up to 4 1/2 months supply of medication that time.
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
As you may or may not know C.F. is a genetically inherited disease that primarily affects the function of the lungs, but also has an impact on the liver and pancreas. I am just one of 8,000 people in the UK to suffer from this disease – which as yet has no cure
In a nutshell, Cystic Fibrosis sufferers are far more susceptible to the common cold and chest infections, often resulting in long periods of hospitalisation. Under constant attack by infection the activities we take for granted such as walking and climbing stairs often renders us breathless. Only the genius of modern day medicines helps us to manage the symptoms better.
So where did I go?
Starting in America, Gordon Clarke, Matthew Smith, Robert Black and I picked up a motorhome and drove through the states for 3 months.
From San Francisco, California passed through and visited places in Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, New Jersey, New York and finally dropping the motorhome off in Massachusetts
Briefly returning home to pick up more medication, Gordon and I continued on to Asia for 3 months of travel though India, China and Vietnam. I fell ill with a severe chest infection and was hospitalised for 2 weeks. Gordon stayed with me throughout my ordeal.
Undeterred and stronger than before Gordon and I continued with our trip, setting our sights on a drier climate, Australia, where we worked and travelled for 4 months. Claire (my girlfriend), Karl and Laura (friends) joined our road trip around Australia for a brief time.
How will your donations help?
Your valuable donations will be sent directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust who help support families and individuals affected by the life-threatening illness, Cystic Fibrosis.
Others, like me, often depend upon the support that the Cystic Fibrosis Trust provides to assist with day-to-day living, responsibilities and to help us make travel arrangements to reduce the burden and stress that would otherwise be caused.
