New hopes are held out for children who suffer from this life-threatening condition. Melanie Defries explains what they need Cystic fibrosis came to prominent public attention recently when it was revealed by Chancellor Gordon Brown that his four-month-old son James Fraser had been diagnosed with the hereditary disease. He said that he and his wife Sarah were positive about their son's future and optimistic about new treatments, and they were touched by the many messages of support received.