Developments in healthcare, including groundbreaking new medications, mean that people with cystic fibrosis (CF) how have the opportunity to do more with their lives than ever before, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) has said.

The charity has just announced details of its upcoming annual conference - the theme of this year's event is independent living.

CF is Ireland's most common life-threatening inherited disease. Around one in 19 people are carriers of the CF gene and when two carriers have a child there is a one in four chance their child will be born with it. There are almost 1,200 people in Ireland with CF and this country has the highest prevalence and the most severe types of CF in the world.

CF affects the regulation of absorption and secretion of salt and water in various parts of the body including the lungs, sweat glands and pancreas. This defect inhibits the flow of salt and water through the body's cells, causing a build-up of thick, sticky mucus, which can clog airways and harbour harmful bacteria.

Symptoms can vary in severity. The most common symptom is recurrent chest infections, which results in lung damage.

Speakers at the conference will include Prof Gerry McElvaney, a consultant respiratory physician at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, who will discuss pipeline medications, and Dr John Waterstone, a consultant gynaecologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital, who will discuss assisted fertility.

Those attending will have an opportunity to take part in workshops which will focus on a range of topics, including employment schemes, relaxation and paediatric care.

"Thanks to developments in CF care and with new groundbreaking medications such as Kalydeco and Orkambi being approved, allied with better supports and services, people with CF now have the opportunity to do more with their lives and to fulfil their dreams and ambitions like never before.

"Hence the focus of our conference this year is on how we can work together to ensure greater mobility for people with CF, access to accommodation, and better employment and education opportunities. I would encourage those who are in a position to attend to register without delay," commented CFI chief executive, Philip Watt.

He added that proceedings will also be streamed live for people who cannot attend the conference.

The conference takes place on April 6-7 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk. The charity's AGM will be held on April 8. Anyone interested in attending can find out more here

The event will take place one week before CFI's annual fundraising appeal, 65 Roses Day (April 13), which will see volunteers selling purple roses to raise much needed funds for vital services. For more information on this, click here