Sam Stevens

Sam Stevens is 12 years old and lives with his family in Auckland. Sam was born in Thailand and wasn’t diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis until he was 15 months old. He was very small and had a lot of catching up to do – his mum says that’s what makes him extra cheeky!

Cystic Fibrosis produces very thick sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and traps bacteria. The digestive system is also impaired, preventing the release of enzymes needed for the digestion of food. Sam has to take pills containing digestive enzymes whenever he eats and has to have physiotherapy twice a day to clear his lungs of mucus.

Since being a Cure Kids Ambassador, Sam’s confidence has increased dramatically. He played a big part in the “Add a Dollar” campaign in 2010 and his involvement with Cure Kids has encouraged him to be more outgoing and assertive - gone is the shy, retiring Sam and in his place we have “rock star Sam” who is the drummer in a band called the Rockroaches.  Sam would love to be the drummer in a band with his brothers when he grows up, but for now he just hopes that they find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis so he doesn’t have to have it any more.

Sam’s health has been generally good over the last year, managing to fight off a couple of chest infections and avoid many hospital admissions. Sam’s wicked sense of humour helps him (and his family) cope with the constant demands of CF.

Cure Kids has funded world first breakthroughs into Cystic Fibrosis.  Only 20 years ago the life expectancy of a child born with CF was just 12 years of age this has improved dramatically and children born with CF today expect to live into their 20’s and 30’s.