At only days old, Emmah Evans was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most common life-threatening lung disease effecting Australians today. With limited treatment options at the time, Emmah’s biological family believed she would not live past her fifth birthday and gave her up for adoption.
It wasn't long before Emmah was placed in the arms of her loving parents. She spent a majority of her childhood growing up in the hospital and watching many of her childhood friends lose their battle to Cystic Fibrosis. She also fell victim to bulling throughout high school leading to depression and anxiety.
A truly remarkable speaker; Emmah’s story is both touching and inspiring.
Current work
As the current ambassador for the Cure4CF Foundation, Emmah continues to raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. In 2018 she will proudly carry the baton as part of the 2018 Queens Baton Relay, for the Commonwealth Games.
Previous experience
Ambassador: Emmah became the national youth ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis and travelled Australia sharing her story.
TV:Her story was featured on The ABC’s Australian Story where she openly shares her reunion with her biological family at aged 16, a chance of fate - as they believed she had passed away.
Author:Emmah’s autobiography, ‘The Words Inside’ was published by Random House Australia in 2006.
Awards:After her health extremely deteriorated in her final years of high school, Emmah was granted a wish by the Make A Wish Foundation. Soon thereafter, her health took a turn for the better and in 2005, Emmah not only graduated high school but also won Girlfriend Magazine’s ‘Girlfriend of the Year’ awarding her a $3000 prize which she donated to Cystic Fibrosis Australia.
With a background in Human Resource management, she's continued achieving both professionally and personally and in 2012, was awarded the Westpac banking CEO award. Again, she donated the $10,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Australia towards the research.
Speaker:Emmah went on to represent the Westpac Banking Corporation in Pittsburgh at One Young World, an International leadership summit with young leaders from around the globe and was selected to speak in the health plenary about her role as ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis.
Talking Points
Remove the expiry date
Emmah has overcome many obstacles - from being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth to be then given up for adoption at only weeks old, too discovering her biological family at 16 after they believed she had passed away. Remove the expiry date
Emmah talks openly about living with a chronic illness and the many battles she has faced and how she is continuously overcoming the unimaginable.
From living long past her “life expectancy date” to the many success - travel, career, motherhood and whats to come.
Through Emmah’s personal story, it will not only inspire and give hope to her audiences to know that anything is possible but motivate them to make a difference.
Be the one they want to
Through courage, honesty and positivity, Emmah shares her pathway to corporate success. As a delegate at One Young World Pittsburgh - an International leadership summit, Emmah talks about what she has learnt from leaders around the world. Be the one they want to
Questioning what makes a good leader and leaving you ask yourself; why would people want to be lead by you. From being personal yet professionally respected this will leave you questioning your leadership - Are you a good leader?
Making the impossible
Having Cystic Fibrosis has proven to show it will have many obstacles. Becoming a Mother with a chronic illness would never be encouraged.Making the impossible
Being a mother of two and having Cystic Fibrosis Emmah and her husband were caught in tough conversations and faced many tough decisions, but after lengthy discussions with medical teams and each other, they were blessed with two healthy children.
Emmah talks about planning for a child when the facts state you may not be around to see them grow up, to falling pregnant naturally and the 9 month journey; pregnant with CF, to life with a baby and being a Cystic Fibrosis Mother. Emmah talks about post natal depression; her triggers, the highs and lows - nothing is off the table.
Video
Emmah Money Addresses the Health Plenary: One Young World Summit 2012
At only days old, Emmah Evans was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most common life-threatening lung disease effecting Australians today. With limited treatment options at the time, Emmah’s biological family believed she would not live past her fifth birthday and gave her up for adoption.Emmah Money Interview
At only days old, Emmah Evans was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most common life-threatening lung disease effecting Australians today. With limited treatment options at the time, Emmah’s biological family believed she would not live past her fifth birthday and gave her up for adoption.Emmah was extremely engaging and captivating with a remarkable and extremely inspirational story. There was not a dry eye in the room. We have received so much positive feedback from our gue ... keep reading LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONALS AUSTRALIA, SA WOMEN’S NETWORK
