PEOPLE suffering from cystic fibrosis enjoyed a trip to the House of Commons last week and met Andy Burnham MP in a bid to raise awareness for the condition and the importance of transplants.

The event, which was held during cystic fibrosis week, was attended by representatives of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and families affected by the disease.

Around 10,000 people in the UK suffer from cystic fibrosis and one in three people who are on the transplant waiting list will die before they are able to have an operation.

Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh, said: “I was delighted to attend this event and learn first hand some of the issues that affect my constituents living with cystic fibrosis.

“I was also able to learn about the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and find out more about their open consultation looking at the issues affecting the number of lung transplants for people with cystic fibrosis.”

Ed Owen, chief executive for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust said: “Too many people with cystic fibrosis are waiting for lungs that will never arrive and they will die on the waiting list.

“We are pleased that MPs are showing interest in this issue and we have launched a national consultation during CF Week to look at how transplantation rates can be improved for people with cystic fibrosis.”