This September, as part of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month 2025, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) are proud to launch Every Breath Counts, a powerful campaign sharing the real stories behind pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a terminal lung condition with an average survival rate of just three to five years, doesn’t just affect lungs, it affects lives. For far too many people, precious time is being lost to misdiagnosis, delays in care and lack of support.
Recent findings from APF’s ‘PF State of the Nation Survey’ exposes the reality that one in three respondents with pulmonary fibrosis were initially misdiagnosed with another condition, and a third waited more than a year for their diagnosis, time they could not afford to lose. Unbelievably, 80% of people had never even heard of pulmonary fibrosis before their diagnosis. Results like this highlight the importance of our awareness month campaign.
“We are thrilled to launch our Every Breath Counts campaign for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month,” said Daniel Saxton, CEO at APF. “By sharing stories and data side by side, we not only raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis but also push for urgent improvements in diagnosis, care and support.”
This year’s campaign focuses on the voices of people living with the condition, the people who care for them, and the families who have lost loved ones. By amplifying these stories, APF aims to raise awareness, drive change, and remind everyone that no one should face pulmonary fibrosis alone.
Behind every diagnosis is a story, raw, moving, and impossible to ignore. People affected by this devastating disease are not just medical cases or numbers on a chart. They are families, parents, partners and loved ones. Their experiences reveal not only the hardship of living with pulmonary fibrosis, but also the strength, hope and resilience that define them.
Each story shines a light on the reality of pulmonary fibrosis, the strength it demands, the challenges it presents, and the extraordinary courage of those living with it every day. Behind every statistic is a story, stories like:
• Dave, a former personal trainer diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis earlier this year
• Milan, a bereaved full-time carer for his late mother
• Meg, a former NHS healthcare support work who was diagnosed in her 30s
• Lorraine and Allan, a sister and brother who are both living with this devastating disease
APF are proud to feature these people at the heart of their campaign this year. Read more about their stories by visiting everybreathcounts.co.uk
The public is invited to join the campaign where they can:
• Donate to support people affected by this disease, helping to fund vital services and research
• Share their own story if they are personally affected by pulmonary fibrosis
• Read about the experiences of others affected
• Become part of a growing movement giving a voice to the pulmonary fibrosis community
Now more than ever, the voices of people with pulmonary fibrosis need to be heard. Together, we can make every breath count.