#TakeTheActiveOption participants share their inspiring stories and motivations for getting involved

When Achille found out he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare lung disease, he began cycling to complement his medical treatment. It soon became his favourite part of his therapy.

To raise awareness of IPF, he cycled thousands of kilometres, often accompanied by his father (who was in his 80s) who helped him with his oxygen tanks. He even cycled throughout the pandemic to raise awareness of the importance of wearing masks.

In April 2022, Achille was very happy to be able to receive a double lung transplant. Now he wants to continue raising awareness for those who suffer with IPF and the importance of lung health in general.

On 3 September he and a group of his friends will be taking part in a triathlon to raise money for this year’s #TakeTheActiveOption. His father will also be joining them!

Are you interested in supporting Achille, or taking part in your own challenge to raise awareness and funds for ELF? Follow this link to find out more

https://europeanlungfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/achille-abbondanza

As a respiratory physician and scientist, Frits is confronted with the consequences of poor lung health every day. He sees for himself the many consequences it can have on a patient’s life, including decreased mobility and depression. This is why he wants to bring awareness to the campaign and raise money for ELF. Read more about Frits’ motivation here: https://europeanlungfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/fritsfranssen

The staff of ELF care about the people they work with and want to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to know how to improve their lung health through the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign. That is why some of them have decided to take on the Sheffield 10k this year, which is taking place on World Lung Day (25 September)! If you would like to join them, either at the event in Sheffield or by doing your own challenge at home, please sign up to #TakeTheActiveOption. Alternatively you can support them by making a donation to their page: https://europeanlungfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/elf-staff