About Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis is a people-driven charity. We are here for you.

Our four themes

1. Support

To advocate for people living with PF and to provide support to improve their quality of life and to develop collaborative partnerships to help fund people-focused support programmes

2. Research

To support research into improved outcomes and greater understanding of the disease and to champion research programmes

3. Education

To undertake targeted awareness raising of the disease, amongst the medical profession, decision-makers and the wider public

4. Campaigning

To proactively target parliamentarians, NHS and policy-makers and to represent patient interests with NICE and the NHS and to target symptom recognition in primary care for prompt diagnosis.

Who are we?

We are a growing community of people living with PF, families, researchers and healthcare professionals striving to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis, so that everyone affected by the disease has a better future.

We support people living with PF and families, and raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis through campaigning, fundraising and education. We also fund research to improve quality of life for people living with pulmonary fibrosis and to find a cure.

We are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of people living with PF and their families and caregivers - everything we do supports that aim and we collaborate widely to ensure that we make the biggest possible difference both now and in the future. None of our work would be possible without our amazing staff team, combined with our volunteers and our wonderful community fundraisers.

Dr Michael Stubbins, Chair of Trustees

Our vision, mission and values

APF’s vision is to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis so that everyone affected by the disease has a better future.

We provide support to families, raise awareness, campaign and educate to improve access to the highest standard of care for everyone affected. We are committed to finding a cure through funding research.

Our values drive everything we do

  • People-driven: We empower people living with and affected by PF, who are at the heart of everything we do
  • Caring and compassionate: We respect and understand the needs of patients and carers, and help them to get the support they need
  • Striving for excellence: We work with integrity and professionalism in all that we do
  • Open and approachable: We ensure people affected by pulmonary fibrosis feel able to turn to us for advice and support in their time of need
  • Ambitious: We will improve the lives of people affected by pulmonary fibrosis and bold in the ways we do this.

Our history

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) was formed in 2013 by a small and ambitious group of patients and carers, two leading Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) doctors and a registered nurse. The result is a charity which puts people living with PF and their families at the heart of everything it does.

This unique connection of APF to people and families drives everything the charity has achieved and does.

Ten years ago, knowledge of the disease amongst many healthcare professionals was patchy. There were very few specialist doctors or nurses, who understood the disease patients had only limited access to pulmonary rehabilitation and there was little on-going research into causes or treatments.

There were no effective drug therapies and only a handful of specialist hospitals. There were also very few support groups around the country and little information, either printed or online, for families.

Our people

We are a people-driven charity. Learn more about our staff and trustees.

As a people-driven organisation, it is vital to us that our community is a safe space for all, regardless of background, sexuality, gender, disability, or race.   We gain strength from the wide variety of backgrounds that people come with. We value your unique experience and want your voice to be heard.

Get in touch