Upcoming Events from ILFA
See our Latest News and Events Section for more information
2000 Steps Extra Challenge on Easter Monday
If you would like to take part in the ILFA 2000 Steps Extra Challenge on Easter Monday, you can register by emailing info@ilfa.ie for your neck warmer and poster.
Remember to send us a photo of your virtual walk so we can share images and raise awareness. 
- ILFA website – https://ilfa.ie/product/donate-
ilfa/ - Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/
donate/696483188891069/ - Just Giving – https://www.justgiving.com/
ilfa
ILFA Patient Information Day
• Professor Killian Hurley, Respiratory Consultant at Beaumont Hospital
• Donna Langan, Respiratory Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Galway University Hospital
• Grace O’Sullivan, Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist at Cork University Hospital
• Dr Roisin Cahalan, Lecturer in Respiratory and Cardiovascular Physiotherapy in the School of Allied Health in the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences at University of Limerick
• Dr Anne Marie Russell, Senior Lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School.
“Let’s Talk Nutrition for Lung Fibrosis”
Sandra Murphy, Clinical Specialist Dietitian at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, will take part in ILFA’s “Let’s Talk Nutrition for Lung Fibrosis” on Friday 31 March 2023 @ 12pm via Zoom. Please contact ILFA by emailing info@ilfa.ie or calling 086 871 5264 to register to attend. Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing info@ilfa.ie.
“Let’s Talk Medicaton”
Questions on medication can be submitted in advance.
ILFA Patient Information Day
- via http://bit.ly/41Rnewn
- email info@ilfa.ie
- call 086 871 5264
Patient and Public Involvement Advisory Group Meeting
Festive Dance Class 
Online Yoga Classes
The classes will start on Friday 11th November at 10.30am via Zoom.
ILFA Patient Information Day
“Let’s Talk Oxygen for Pulmonary Fibrosis”
“Let’s Talk Unmet Needs for Lung Fibrosis Patients”
ILFA Service of Prayer and Reflection
The ILFA Service of Prayer and Reflection will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Whitefriar St, Aungier Street, Dublin 2 on Saturday 15th October at 4pm. We are delighted to return to an in-person event and look forward to welcoming our guests. Please let us know if you plan to join us so we can organise numbers for some light refreshments afterwards.
During the service, we will light candles for those patients whose names have been submitted to ILFA by family members. Please email info@ilfa.ie or call 086 871 5264 if you would like your loved one remembered.
The service will be live-streamed and available to watch via the church website www.whitefriarstreetchurch.ie, for those who cannot attend the church in person.
If you cannot attend, we encourage ILFA members to come together virtually as a community and light a candle in their home at 8pm on the evening of Saturday 15th October to support or remember loved ones affected by lung fibrosis. You can send your photos to info@ilfa.ie if you would like to share your images.
We hope you will join us in Dublin for this uplifting community event.
Sing Strong for Pulmonary Fibrosis
The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) is pleased to announce the start of a new ‘Sing Strong for Pulmonary Fibrosis’ class with Ciara Meade, Choir Mistress,
The classes will take place every Wednesday at 12.30pm starting on 21 September 2022 for 12 weeks.
The online class is free of charge to lung fibrosis patients registered with ILFA. No singing experience or even a good singing voice needed. All are welcome to this fun, sociable and beneficial class.
Email info@ilfa.ie to register in advance.
ILFA Patient and Carer Survey
“Let’s Talk PPI”
“Let’s Talk Breathing Techniques”
Join Eimear Bell, Respiratory physiotherapist, for an online session entitled “Let’s Talk Breathing Techniques” for pulmonary fibrosis patients.
Eimear will give a presentation on breathing techniques that will be followed by a Questions & Answers session.
Please submit any questions you may have in advance and Eimear will do her best to answer them in the allotted time. The meeting will take place via Zoom and we can provide you with assistance if necessary.
Please email info@ilfa.ie or call 086 871 5264 or 086 057 0310 to register to attend.
Let’s Talk Oxygen
The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association will host a “Let’s Talk Oxygen” Questions and Answers session with Patricia Davis, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Respiratory Integrated Care, on Friday 29th April at 11am via Zoom. Please submit questions and register in advance by emailing info@ilfa.ie
2000 Steps Extra for ILFA!
You can take part from anywhere – in your garden, indoors from your home, outdoors etc. The important goal is to step it out for your health!
Dancing for Pulmonary Fibrosis
ILFA’s next Patient Information Day
The next Patient Information Day will take place online on Saturday 12th March 2022 from 11am until 1pm. The meeting will take place using the Zoom online platform. If you would like help using Zoom, please contact us in advance and we can provide you with support.
Our speakers will be confirmed nearer to the time and announced on the website (www.ilfa.ie), and Facebook and Twitter pages. Please register with ILFA in advance to attend this meeting by calling 086 871 5264 or emailing info@ilfa.ie
Weekly Online Exercise Classes with ILFA
ILFA’s online exercise classes for lung fibrosis patients take place weekly via Zoom. The classes are free of charge to all lung fibrosis patients who are registered as members with ILFA. The classes usually take place at 11am and are led by a Respiratory Physiotherapist.
Please register in advance to receive safety information and advice for the classes. Email info@ilfa.ie or call 086 871 5264 to join the class. We look forward to seeing you!
Exercise is the Best Medicine
Exercise is vitally important for lung fibrosis patients and ILFA’s exercise resources encourage you to exercise safely while taking your health limitations into account.
Speak with your respiratory nurse specialist, physiotherapist, and doctor for more information about the benefits of exercise and how to get started.
ILFA’s Exercise Resources
Some of ILFA’s exercise resources are included below. These are available free of charge to lung fibrosis patients and healthcare professionals working in respiratoy medicine. Please contact ILFA to request our free resources.
- ILFA Exercise DVD
- ILFA Yoga DVD
- ILFA 2000 Steps a Day programme
- ILFA Therabands for performing stretching exercises
Online Exercise Classes with ILFA
ILFA’s online exercise classes for lung fibrosis patients take place weekly via Zoom. The classes are free of charge to all lung fibrosis patients who are registered as members with ILFA. The classes usually take place at 11am and are led by a Respiratory Physiotherapist. Please register in advance to receive safety information and advice for the classes. Email info@ilfa.ie or call 086 871 5264 to join the class. We look forward to seeing you!
Click here if you would like to know more about using Zoom. If you have any questions about using Zoom to join the classes, please get in touch and we will talk you through the process.
Watch the ILFA Videos
ILFA Exercise Video for Lung Fibrosis Patients
ILFA Yoga Video for Lung Fibrosis Patients
ILFA Exercise Video in collaboration with University Hospital Limerick
Walking is an ideal exercise for Lung Fibrosis patients
The 2000 Steps a Day Challenge was specifically designed for Lung Fibrosis patients. This challenge aims to help you achieve your best level of fitness and wellbeing while considering your limitations and oxygen requirements. The 2000 Steps a Day Challenge was devised by Ms. Irene Byrne, Senior Physiotherapist with the Heart and Lung Transplant Unit at the Mater University Hospital Dublin and developed with ILFA.
The ILFA 2000 Steps a Day walking pack contains
- The 2000 Steps a Day leaflet that explains the benefits of walking for Lung Fibrosis patients and gives tips and advice on how to get started and stay safe. Click here to read the Get Moving with ILFA 2000 Steps a Day Challenge leaflet.
- An inspirational poem called “Promises to Yourself” by Christian D. Larson and a Contract for Success for you to sign and commit to the 2000 Steps a Day Challenge.
- A pedometer (step counter) to estimate the number of steps you take, the distance travelled (miles and kilometres) and the number of calories used when walking.
- A high visibility reflector vest to help keep you and your walking companion safe while out walking. The reflector vests have been kindly supplied to ILFA by the Road Safety Authority.
- An exercise diary to record your progress with the 2000 Steps a Day Challenge.
- An ILFA pen.
- A Donation card if you would like to make a donation to ILFA.
We hope that you will enjoy this exercise challenge and it will motivate you to incorporate an extra 2000 steps into your daily routine. We want you to use the programme to help kick start, improve and maintain your level of fitness.
How to order your 2000 Steps Walking Pack
Please contact ILFA to request your 2000 Steps a Day walking pack by writing to ILFA, PO Box 10456, Blackrock Co. Dublin via email info@ilfa.ie or by calling 086 871 5264.
All of ILFA’s resources are provided free of charge to lung fibrosis patients registered with ILFA and to healthcare professionals working in respiratory medicine.
The History of ILFA’s 2000 Steps a Day Walking Challenge
The 2000 Steps a Day Challenge was devised by Ms. Irene Byrne, Senior Physiotherapist with the Heart and Lung Transplant Unit at the Mater University Hospital Dublin and developed with ILFA. In 2014, ILFA’s 2000 Steps A Day Challenge won the Irish Healthcare Award for the Best Patient Organisation Project of the Year.
You can read more about ILFA’s award winning exercise initiative here.
Please note that the ILFA 2000 Steps a Day Challenge is the property of ILFA and cannot be copied or reproduced without permission. For further information, please email info@ilfa.ie or
call 086 871 5264
Peer support and talking to others is important and may help and reassure you that you are not alone.
The ILFA Support Group network puts patients and carers in touch with each other to share their stories, experiences, and tips for living well with lung fibrosis.
Click here to see a list of patient support groups
Be Inspired by ILFA’s Tip of the Week and Quote of the Week
Each week ILFA features a new Tip of the Week and Quote of the Week to help and inspire our members.
We hope you will benefit from these tips and inspiring words.
Tip of the week
Quote of the week
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” Christopher Reeve
Mindfulness and Mental Health Resources
The following websites may be useful to help you support your mental wellbeing.
- Headspace The app can be downloaded onto a smart device and you can try it for FREE. At the moment, there are additional free resources in a section on the app called ‘Weathering the storm’ that vary in length.
- Stress Control – This website will help provide you with skills to fight stress (for most of us, a mix of anxiety and depression) and boost your wellbeing.
Below is a list of counselling and mental health support services available, including supports for different age groups, mobile apps, phone and online resources.
- Mental Health Supports and Servcies during Covid-19
- Minding your mental health during Covid
- In This Together– Advice on how to cope during these challenging times including looking after our physical and mental health
- Mental Health Ireland – Information and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties
Information line (01) 284 1166 (from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or email info@mentalhealthireland.ie for more information - Free online Stress Control Classes available from the HSE
If you are struggling with increased anxiety, feeling depressed or have suicidal thoughts, please seek help and contact your GP or go to your local Emergency Department for help.
