A YATE family have spoken of their immense happiness after finding out their four-year-old daughter will receive life-saving medication in the near future.

Liz and Shane Brennan’s daughter Annabelle was born with cystic fibrosis, turning their world upside down.

Now though, as Annabelle approaches her fifth birthday, the Government has revealed it has come to an agreement with pharmaceutical company Vertex to provide sufferers with life-saving medication, Orkambi.

Orkambi is the first medication that targets the root causes of the condition.

This could mean that, because Annabelle has not suffered any damage to her lungs or respiratory system, she could live a normal life.

“There are no words it is just a mixture of happiness and relief,” said Liz.

“We have spoken to people at the clinic and Annabelle has to have some tests before we get it so there is no date set yet.

“For us it has happened at the best possible time, Annabelle is young enough that these drugs will have a huge impact on the rest of her life.

“We are very lucky that when Annabelle gets older we won’t have to have the conversation, it will be much more positive,” added Liz, who was a key part in the national campaign for Orkambi.

Liz’s words were echoed by her husband Shane.

“I don’t think that it has really sunk in yet,” he said.

“We have had a couple of nights since the announcement was made to celebrate.

“There were lots of tears and lots of champagne, even a bottle from our wedding 10 years ago that we were saving for a special occasion.

“The messages we have had from people in the community has been incredible, people that we haven’t spoken to for nearly 20 years have got in contact, it is amazing to see how far this campaign has travelled.

“That fight is over now but I think that we need to learn from this, we can’t have a four year battle for something that is so important to so many people again.

“It is a moment that so many people have been waiting for and now it is here we are so happy.”

The pair went on to thank a number of people and groups for their support in the campaign.

“We just want to say a massive thank you to the community for the support we have had,” Liz said.

“Luke Hall has always been willing to talk with us and has fought for us in parliament and also everyone that has been part of the campaign or signed a petition.

“We have all made this happen and it has given our daughter a brighter future.”

The news was announced on October 24, with Vertex releasing a statement immediately.

“Today is a significant day for the cystic fibrosis community in England. This important agreement, reached in collaboration and partnership with NHS England and NICE, will allow more than 5,000 eligible cystic fibrosis patients in England to have access to CFTR modulators to treat the underlying cause of their disease,” said Ludovic Fenaux, Senior Vice President, Vertex International.