Program for awareness and educational support for Cystic Fibrosis patients

Fondation Dora supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Israel (CFFI) in its new project: “Overcoming Culture and Language Barriers to Treat Cystic Fibrosis in Arab and Bedouin Communities”. This educational and linguistic project aims to better meet the needs of the one-third of Israel’s cystic fibrosis patients who are not yet benefitting from CFFI’s wide-ranging care.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic, progressive, and incurable multi-system disease and patients have an average life-expectancy of 37 years. It requires daily treatments that are both rigorous and time-consuming. The CFFI currently runs six multi-disciplinary CF clinics in several Israeli hospitals. It also provides financial support for families for equipment and medications, accompaniment before and after transplant procedures, as well as various essential educational workshops.

Overcoming cultural differences for better results

Research shows that despite receiving the same clinical therapies and home care recommendations, treatment results for non-Jewish (Arab and Bedouin) CF patients are less positive than for Jewish patients. Social workers confirm that the needs of both populations are the same, but cultural differences impact treatment efficacy.

The “Overcoming Culture and Language Barriers to Treat Cystic Fibrosis in Arab and Bedouin Communities” project is designed to address this treatment gap and better serve CF patients and family members who, because of language barriers, are unaware of CFFI work or unable to access services. The program also develops and produces educational materials in Arabic on important CF topics: awareness of genetic testing, coping tools for children living with the disease, coping tools for caregivers and educators, physiotherapy and nutritional guidance books for improved home care. 

Promising results after one year

With Fondation Dora’s support, the CFFI has been able to establish several vital programs and has begun to make a positive impact on Arab and Bedouin patients with CF. Since 2017, the program has already seen several achievements:

• Added Arabic-speaking social workers, physiotherapists, and a pharmacist to clinic staff, successfully increasing patient contact for this population
• Created and published pamphlets and booklets in Arabic for broadening the reach of awareness campaigns
• Held conferences in Arabic on up-to-date patient care methods as well as information regarding health insurance benefits and support programs for families

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Israel is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of all cystic fibrosis patients living in Israel.

Fondation Dora supported this programme for three years, from 2017 to 2019.