"Secret Mission: C.F.", the first interactive children's book
about Cystic Fibrosis in Greece
A special initiative of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, addressed to young and old: patients, caregivers, health professionals, educators, but also to all those who wish to learn more about the most common hereditary disease. Come and unlock the secrets of Cystic Fibrosis together and discover how we can face every difficulty in our lives.
"This is not a normal book, it's a journey. A secret mission that aims to show kids that if they follow their schedule, nothing can put a brake on their limitless potential. Because Cystic Fibrosis, like any difficulty, cannot and should not limit anyone's life!"
The book together with the accompanying pouch containing the interactive tools of the secret mission is distributed free of charge by the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Centers and Clinics to Cystic Fibrosis patients, their caregivers, doctors, and anyone interested in discovering the secrets of the disease.
Below you can browse through the book and fill in your details to obtain it free of charge from our Association.
The writing and illustration was undertaken by the renowned author and illustrator of children’s books, Liana Noezaki (here), in collaboration with the Board of Directors of the Association and the scientific supervision of the Cystic Fibrosis Pediatric Centers, the Cystic Fibrosis Scientific Committee, the psychiatrist Irini Katsini and the child psychologist Anna Parisi.
The book was published by “Yellow Patini” Publications with the kind support of Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
It was created in December 2023, as part of the European Cystic Fibrosis Week activities, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association.
The heroes and the story
Chloe
is a girl born with Cystic Fibrosis. She is worried and suspects that her family is not telling her the whole truth about her health condition. To find answers, she searches the internet, but comes across only outdated and incorrect information. The result? She keeps saying “NO” to anything that can help her: No to physiotherapy, no to medication, no to exercise. A big “No” that holds her back.
Kiri
is Chloe’s kitty. His name comes from the Kiri tree, a rare and impressive tree known for its amazing ability to produce large amounts of oxygen. Scientists believe that planting lots of Kiri trees can help fight climate change. The Kiri, therefore, in addition to its concern for Chloe, also symbolizes what Chloe, like the entire planet, needs most: unlimited breath, as is the motto of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association.
Our history
begins when Kiri, seeing Chloe afraid and avoiding everything that helps her, decides to help her. And this is where readers of the book take action. Working with Kiri, they take it upon themselves to solve the Secret Mission: C.I., to help Chloe understand and embrace what will make her feel better.
Message to young and old readers
The “Secret Mission: K.I.” is not a recent creation.
It is a narrative that goes back a long time.
It is a story that we carry within us the “big” kids of Cystic Fibrosis, those of us who managed to survive the disease.
This story is our answer to the question: “What would I say to my younger self if I could go back in time and what would I want to say to the younger children who are traveling the same rough road?”
Those of us involved in the creation of the Secret Mission had a clear idea from the beginning.
We didn’t want to make another book where the hero had to do something overly heroic in order for his difficulty to be accepted.
Chloe doesn’t save any forest or village from destruction, she is an ordinary girl who is scared, struggling and stubbornly refuses, like any child, to follow something she doesn’t understand…
The “Secret Mission: K.I.” was created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association.
It is a gift from the older “children” of Cystic Fibrosis and their parents to the younger patients, but also to anyone who wants to be informed about the most common hereditary disease. This publication is a legacy for future generations, honouring the 40 years of the Association’s contribution.
Our Association has not only supported the community over the years.
It has been instrumental in improving the quality of life and survival of many patients, literally saving lives and offering hope where there was none.
For those of you who have completed “Secret Mission: CF”, remember that the journey is not over. On the contrary, it’s starting now! We hope that this book will be a trigger for the discovery of the limitless possibilities that not only anyone with Cystic Fibrosis has, but also every person who faces any difficulty in his/her life!
Flip through it!
You can flip through the book. If you like it, press the button to fill out the form
so we can send it to you along with the Secret Agent’s gear!
Message to the secret agents
Congratulations! I f you are here it means that you have successfully completed all the tests and are now part of the CF secret team. Now you are officially our agent!
First of all, I will reveal to you how I was inspired my name. For Chloe’s sake I did a lot of research until I found the one that would suit me best. Kiri! Kiri is a rare, special, beautiful and impressive tree – just like me. However, I didn’t choose it for any of the above reasons, but because its main feature is its amazing oxygen productivity. This tree consumes more carbon dioxide and produces the most oxygen than any other tree on our planet. That is why it has such large leaves. To give you an idea of the power of kiri, it captures 21.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide every day, which it converts into almost 6 kilograms of oxygen. Scientists say that planting many of these trees could be the answer to fighting climate change. On the other hand, I believe that it symbolizes exactly what Chloe, like our planet, needs most: the Unlimited Breath.
As you may have noticed, on the cover of the book there is a sign showing the lungs with the words: Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association. (Can you replace the “C” in “Cystic” with “M”) and read the name of the Association?
Well, now that you know, it’s time to find out how this club came about: The Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association was founded 41 years ago, in 1983, by parents of young children with Cystic Fibrosis. Mums and dads decided to join forces and form a large group to demand the medicines and support their children needed to be healthy.
As the years passed, these children grew up and became part of this big family of the club.
Today, parents and patients continue to fight together, hand in hand, for a better tomorrow, with more Breathless Breath!
And now it's time to check the correct answers in your book:
Page 6
SECRET FUNOSITY (okay, that was easy!)
Page 7
Brain
Eye
Heart
Lungs
Page 13
Physiotherapy
Medicines
Page 15
Do the words “cavities” and “gingivitis” mean anything to you? They are oral diseases caused by plaque germs that form on the teeth when we don’t brush and brush them properly. Now think what would happen if we didn’t wash them AT ALL!
Toothache, bad breath, difficulty chewing food, bad teeth, teeth that need to come out, swelling. There you go, I’ve found not 3 but 6 things, and if I think about it some more, I’ll fill 3 pages, not just 3 lines!
Page 21
In a circle you need to put: meat, yoghurt, chocolate, nuts, toast milk, bread with tahini and honey, bread with jam
Delete: banana, orange juice, carrot, apple, hummus, bean salad, broccoli
Page 23
You already know the answer, but let me emphasize that children with C.I. are not different from other children.
Page 27
You must have spotted 10 grapefruits in the picture.
Page 28
Correct answers
1C, 2B, 3B, 4A, 5B, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9C
And now you can fill in your contact info here, so you can receive our news. Of course, you can also send us your questions, ideas and share with us your thoughts.
Thanks for the support!
- Heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude to the author and illustrator of the book, Liana Denezaki, who embraced this difficult project with her heart and soul. With her sensitivity, imagination and talent, she managed to bring to life a story that touches the hearts of young and old alike. Her love and dedication made “Secret Mission: C.F.” a true journey of hope. Liana thank you for making our dream yours!
- Warm thanks to the Cystic Fibrosis Scientific Committee, the doctors, the health scientists, the members of our Association, who with their dedication, experience and unceasing support made the “Secret Mission: C.F.” a reality. Their contribution was crucial at every step, and without their guidance and trust, our vision could not have been realized. Thank you so much for everything!
- Many thanks to Vertex Pharmaceuticals for their kind support, without which the publication of our book would not have been possible. Thank you for your help!
