Overview

The stigma that surrounds not only cystic fibrosis in Jordan, but all chronic illnesses, is debilitating for the country and makes life hard for parents who need support, but the situation is improving. More parents are getting information about CF, and Khaled continues to speak out about all his family has been through.

Khaled and his wife had three children with CF. When we did this interview, two of the three died from the disease. Khaled and his wife stand strong together, raising awareness about CF.

Khaled’s daughter Wasan was diagnosed with CF at 4 months old and now, 18 years old, is an aspiring lawyer today. Shahim died when he was 6 months old from CF, and the baby of the family at the time, Salma, died from CF at 6 years old. Since our interview Khaled and his wife had a fourth child, Aisha, who does not have CF.

The Middle East CF Association (MECFA) is working with 3 centers to train medical staff. The drugs they have access to are dnaze, vitamins, hypertonic saline and inhaled tobramycin. Turkish Doctors were recently at the Harvard Boston CF center, and the Center has initiated a genetic testing program. MECFA hopes that CF modulators are available in 2026.

In this CF Global Master Class we’d like to thank our interpreter, Zin Mohamed. She put her heart and soul into this project, and we were grateful for the emotion she showed as CF Dad, Khaled Al Farayeh told his story. Khaled is the Mayor of Al Judaidah District in Karak City. He says he must continue to move forward, to change lives for the better in his community.

MARCOM Gold Winner 2024