Courageous Gabby is full of ambition

Armstrong Creek’s Gabby Tremul looks just like your average bubbly teen.

She loves hanging out with her friends, swimming, dancing, and wants to be an actress when she grows up.

But on the inside, Gabby’s body is making her life very tough.

The 13-year-old was diagnosed at just four weeks of age with cystic fibrosis and last year she and her family received the devastating news she also had cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

Gabby takes 12 tablets for breakfast and another 40 throughout the day.

She has chest physio every day and uses a nebuliser once, sometimes several times a day, and travels for more than an hour and a half to the Royal Children’s Hospital for clinic visits every 12 weeks (or much more if she’s unwell).

Every birthday, Gabby has an annual review consisting of blood tests, lung function tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds to check for liver disease, and a bone densitometry to check for osteoporosis.

However, mum Leann said Gabby continued to display resilience and just get on with life.

“It is just another amazing part of who she is and life goes on as we manage her chronic condition day to day.”

Gabby swims five times a week to keep her lung capacity high, is taking singing lessons, and loves acting.

She is in Year 8 at Geelong Lutheran College and joked that while she wasn’t the best at maths, she was doing well at school.

Leann said something many didn’t realise about people living with CF was that they couldn’t socialise with each other, as they were at risk of cross infection.

“This is the cruel reality of this disease and many people living with CF have not had that much needed connection and support of others who understand.”

Leann is the Founder of Cystic Fibrosis Geelong Inc. and has campaigned tirelessly for awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and raised funds for a cure since Gabby was diagnosed.

At the moment, she is busy organising the Cure Cystic Fibrosis Gala Dinner 2018, which will be held at The Pier Geelong on May 19, with all proceeds going to the Cure4CF Foundation.

“We raised $50,000 last year and are hoping to raise $70,000 this year,” she said.

“That’s 1,555 hours of research, which is what we are buying. We need to be able to fund more scientists to research faster.”

The night will include fine food, fabulous entertainment, live and silent auctions, VIP guests, and fun.

Denis Walter will MC the night, which will feature guest speaker Derryn Hinch.

To buy tickets, head to trybooking.com/book/event?eid=346066, phone 0414 713 916 or email [email protected].
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