Nathan Charles: I control cystic fibrosis, it doesn't control me

It can take up to 40 tablets a day to treat cystic fibrosis, but Western Force hooker Nathan Charles has not let the condition hold up his career as a regular for the Super Rugby side.

Friday is 65 Roses Day, an occasion highlighting the impact of the lung condition.

"My parents were told when I was born to not expect a tenth birthday," Charles said.

"I try live my life as normal as I possibly can, control the cystic fibrosis and not let it control me."

Charles, now 26, said a healthy lifestyle and being disciplined about his medication had helped him get to where he is now.

"You could get hit by a bus tomorrow so it's about just doing what you can now," he said.

One building in Perth has done its bit for raising awareness and money for the condition, installing a makeshift gym at the Exchange Tower in Perth on Thursday.

Organiser Todd Guthridge from Vault Fitness said workers switched office chairs for a bike seat in an effort to raise money for cystic fibrosis.

"We've got teams from six o'clock in the morning right through to four o'clock," he said.

The event was an opportunity for those in the building to gain some bragging rights.

"We're calibrating the calories in the bikes and then doing a total calorie for the team and then divided by the team riders, we'll do prizes at the end of the day," Mr Guthridge said.

A target of $3000 was set with $20 the minimum donation to grab a seat, however the goal was already reached before 9am on Thursday.

"We're pretty blessed with our life, you just got to think someone else is obviously worse off than you and if you can help in any way you've got to do it," Mr Guthridge said.

Cystic Fibrosis WA CEO Nigel Barker said the future for those with cystic fibrosis was bright.

"Today because we've got early diagnosis, aggressive intervention and better treatment, better drugs the average life expectancy is 37-and-a-half years," he said.

"A child born today can well expect to live into their fifties, thanks to the advances being made."

To donate to head to http://www.65roseswa.org.au/

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/na...0150529-ghbxgi