Our goal is to create a happier and longer life for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Our mission
The mission of CF Hero, z.ú. is to use technology to improve the quality of life of persons suffering from both rare and common diseases.
We provide smart solutions making the treatment of patients easier and more effective.
CF Hero z.ú. co-founded the Cystic Fibrosis Patients’ Club, which helps and supports CF patients in the Czech Republic.
Why are we doing this?
From our own experience we know how challenging it is to follow the daily routine for CF patients. Although the progression is often unpredictable, patients themselves can positively influence it by adhering to treatment and lifestyle choices. The goal of CF Hero application is to make long inhalations and respiratory rehabilitations that the patients have to undergo every day more efficient and effective.
Why are we doing this?
How did the CF Hero mobile app come about?
We applied to an acceleration program operated by Vodafone Foundation with the idea of creating a mobile app helping children with CF.
After the termination of the Vodafone acceleration program, we gained the main prize amounting to CZK 350,000 and invested it into first designs of the future app.
We won the Impact Award category at Startup World Cup Summit.
Our fundraising campaign #bezdechu on Giving Tuesday 2017 was a great success and Vodafone Foundation doubled the raised funds. In total we raised CZK 1,748,936 and used all of the funds for primary development of the Android version of CF Hero app.
In early 2018, we started working on the app design and development. Software development company Netvor became our partne. The unique look of the application was provided by the great and creative graphic studio Butterflies & Hurricanes.
We participated in the largest European conference on CF that took place in Belgrade and resented the CF Hero project abroad for the first time.
Android version of CF Hero is available to Czech patients in Google Play store.
We went to spread the CF Hero name to ECFS, the largest European cystic fibrosis conference. This time to Liverpool.
We successfully participated in the "Blueberry to Non-Profits" contest. Out of 30 TOP candidates, we made it to the final three together with Junák and Demagog.cz and in the end the development team decided: For winning the competition, they created an iOS app version for us.
CF Hero app presented at a physiotherapy workshop.
CF Hero won the Czech DIGI@MED Award and received a prize of CZK 100,000.
The award was donated by Roche to startups that had contributed to the digitization and modernization of medicine and healthcare.
In late 2019, we released the Slovak version of the CF Hero app and introduced it at the 11th Slovak Cystic Fibrosis Conference.
In the summer, we took part in two international acceleration programs: HealthCare Lab and Patient Innovation Bootcamp.
This helped us move our future plans and app development further and make new contacts abroad.
The November ending of the Slovak acceleration program was extremely pleasing. We won the main jury prize of € 10,000.
iPhone app version now available to young Czech patients in App Store.
Thanks to the Vertex Circle of care grant we started to plan first steps towards the Polish app version in cooperation with patient association Fundacja MATIO.
In cooperation with the Cystic Fibrosis Patients’ Club, we released a Slovak version of the iOS app.
The CF Hero project, originally set up under the Cystic Fibrosis Patients' Association, now formally became independent. However, we are very happy that our bond with the Club remains strong.
We presented CF Hero app to Ukrainian experts and established a partnership with local patients’ association.
In cooperation with doctors and physiotherapists from Motol University Hospital and Brno University Hospital, we started a clinical study on the app.
We participated in a CF conference held by the V4 countries and advanced our collaboration with Polish and Ukrainian partners.
In cooperation with the Polish patient association Fundacja Matio and thanks to the financial support of the pharmaceutical company Vertex and the Circle of Care grant, we have launched the app for Polish patients.
Thanks to the financial support from the European Union and cooperation with the Ukrainian patient association ВГО "Всеукраїнська асоціація допомоги хворим на Муковісцидоз", the Slovak Association of Cystic Fibrosis and the hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk, the app is free to download for Ukrainian patients.
Media & press
A talk with Honza and Marek about the newly available CF Hero app and life with CF
Marek and pediatric CF doctor Lukáš Homola in an interview on the emerging CF Hero app and the course of the disease.
Teenagers having fun with inhalation. What helps ‘salty children’?
Seznam TV – Morning Studio (2019)
Presentation of the award winning app at Czech DIGI@MED Award by Honza. (1:42:00 min)
Breathe with “Oxie” and fight cystic fibrosis; new CF Hero app encourages patients
Getting kids to exercise can sometimes be challenging. But if you combine a boring activity with a game theme, success is guaranteed.
Main partner
The CF Club was founded in 1992 by parents of children with cystic fibrosis.
Active parents are still involved in its management and operation.
Without their help, the staff could not provide all the services and activities for the benefit of cystic fibrosis patients.
Support us
If you decide to support us financially, we will be able to better and faster:
– Finance the app operation
– Add current content to the app
– Develop new elements
– Improve and prolong the lives of young patients not only in the Czech Republic
How to spread the CF Hero mobile app among other patients?
You can help spread the CF Hero app among other patients. Just fill out the form and we will then agree on how to proceed.
We can also supply you with leaflets presenting the app to your young patients.