Families affected by bronchiectasis gathered in Kings Park recently for a special event hosted by the BRIGHT Study team, celebrating community, connections, and conversations.
The day was an opportunity for families to connect and speak about their experiences with respiratory issues and a unique space for kids to meet other children who have faced similar challenges.
There was an excellent response from the community with 60 people coming out to enjoy the face painting, lawn games, silent disco and dressing up like scientists.
Kitty Obando, a Research Assistant in the Foundations of Lung Disease team, said it was a privilege to organise this event in Kings Park, and it was fun to chat with everyone outside of research appointments.
"Seeing everyone connect and talk about their experiences as families affected by bronchiectasis was really special,” Kitty said.
“We also wanted to give back to the families who have contributed to the study."
The BRIGHT study is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study involving children with bronchiectasis. Despite the increasing prevalence of bronchiectasis, it remains one of the most under-diagnosed and under-researched respiratory conditions.
"Many families have told us that they have never been able to talk to anyone who can relate to their experience with bronchiectasis, and that it can be quite isolating. That is really what inspired us to create this event, to help to build a community,” Kitty said.
"The highlight was definitely seeing all the kids playing together.”
The study aims to investigate the mechanisms of childhood bronchiectasis, identify new ways of detection and treatment, and develop personalised treatment strategies to optimise respiratory health over a lifetime.
A special thank you to the BRIGHT Study’s consumer reference group for helping to create such a special day.