KIWI COUPLE'S LITTLE MIRACLE OUR BOY GETS TO GROW UP!

When wonder drug Trikafta arrived just in time for Noah's birthday celebrations, this Christchurch family knew they had to go big

- 

For most toddlers, turning two is all about cake-smeared faces, ripping open presents, and running around with little friends and cousins. And while this was all true for Christchurch youngster Noah Harrington-Ashton, his recent celebrations also marked the beginning of his chance to live longer.

A few weeks before his big day last month, Pharmac announced it was expanding the funding of wonder drug Trikafta, making it available for people two years and older who, like Noah, have cystic fibrosis (CF).

It was life-changing news for his parents, Eddie and Emily Harrington-Ashton, as the drug is one of the biggest-ever breakthroughs in treating the chronic disorder, which leads to the production of thick, sticky mucus causing severe respiratory and digestive issues.

Eddie, 31, says Noah’s birthday was the perfect time to celebrate the long-awaited news with friends and family.

"Once Trikafta came through for us, we knew we had to go big!" enthuses Eddie, who adds Noah loved every minute of his three-day celebration.

Trikafta is the first drug to treat the underlying cause of CF and has been funded in New Zealand for people six years and over since 2023. Desperate to get help for their son, at one stage, the young couple thought about moving to England or Australia to access it.