DAVID WALKER/Stuff
Alana Taylor has cystic fibrosis. In 2015, she was near death until she was saved by a double lung transplant. (Video first published in August 2017)
Straight after waking up, Claire Scofield begins each day with a series of treatments – nebulizers, physio and oral medication. When she gets home from work, she’ll do some exercise, using breathing techniques to cough to “get as much gunk out a possible”. This is the reality of living with the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis. The condition causes sufferers to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the respiratory and digestive systems. More than 530 New Zealanders have the condition. Their life expectancy is late 30s.
The Jan. 8 candlelight vigil was the second time the advocacy group Stop Death on the Streets held the event. The group mourned the lives of 30 people who died while experiencing homelessness in 2020.
Credit Melorie Begay/KLCC
The advocacy group, Stop Death on the Streets held their 2nd annual vigil in Eugene on Friday Jan. 8. About 100 people came to mourn the lives of homeless people who died in the past year.
Activist Chelsea Swift said in a speech during the vigil that the community hasn’t collectively grieved for people who’ve died in 2020, including those who’ve died from COVID-19.