Paul Newman Donates $8,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Assn

Paul Newman Donates $8,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand From Sales Of His World Famous Salad Dressings

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand is one of the fifteen New Zealand charities celebrating the ongoing generosity and support of legendary actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman.

Paul Newman gives all after tax profits from sales of Paul Newman's Own salad dressings to charitable organisations, and this year, the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand has been gifted a grant of $8,000, which will be used to purchase five new laptop computers needed urgently by their organisation.

Cystic Fibrosis is a serious, life-threatening disease inherited by children if both their parents are carriers of the CF gene. It means a daily life of chest physiotherapy, enzyme replacement tablets with every meal, high-energy diets and regular hospitalisation and antibiotic treatment. The lives of people with CF can be limited and shortened, and the challenges of daily life can seem insurmountable.

Many young people with CF are students who often miss a lot of school time due to illness and hospitalisation. The idea of entering into tertiary education is often not even considered due to the enormous financial pressure placed upon families by the illness alone, as treatment is expensive and some aspects of care of not funded.

The CF Association in New Zealand does operate a tertiary grants scheme however, which assists with annual fees and the purchase of laptop computers - and the $8000 from Paul Newman will be used to buy five computers to enable students to keep up with their studies whilst in hospital.

"Some children with CF spend up to 200 days a year in hospital," says Kate Russell, General Manager of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand, "their illness just has such a huge impact on their lives."

"Having a laptop to use means they can keep up with their friends and their schoolwork, the ramifications of this grant are just huge".

This year, Paul Newman has made cash grants to fifteen worthwhile charities of between $1,500 and $10,500, to the total of $100,000. Since 1982, when the actor launched his first range of salad dressings, more than $200 million has been distributed world-wide.

This is the 15th year Paul Newman has given grants to New Zealand charities bringing its total contribution in New Zealand to more than half a million dollars.

"We are very proud to be able to make this happen," says Paul Newman's Own spokesperson Jerry Rounds. "However, ultimate thanks must go to the New Zealand public for buying Paul Newman's Own salad dressings - the more they support the brand, the more the Foundation can contribute back to the community."

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