2020 Australian of the year, SA Local Hero, Emmah Money is an author, mother, motivational speaker and Cystic Fibrosis Advocate. Emmah lives with the life-threatening lung disease Cystic Fibrosis and knows firsthand the challenges that come with this debilitating invisible disease.
With a life expectancy of just 37, was given up for adoption at only days old after doctors believed she wouldn’t survive. Only day’s before her 17th birthday, Emmah found her biological family by “accident” after they believed she had passed away.
Now in her thirties, Emmah has a list of credible achievements and inspires many globally.
Current Work
An Ambassador with the Cure4CF Foundation, Emmah is an active campaigner, raising awareness through her social media platform, CF Mummy. As well as speaking at a variety of events across Australia, Emmah mentor’s many within the CF community.
Emmah is passionate in raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis; having raised more than $50,000 to support research in finding a cure.
A passionate and inspiring speaker, Emmah regularly speaks in schools across Australia, inspiring students with her powerful personal account about overcoming obstacles including bullying and depression. She has also shared her story with the likes of former US president Bill Clinton and super chef Jamie Oliver.
Emmah published her first book, her autobiography; The Words Inside, at 17, going on to win national Australian magazine Girlfriend, Girlfriend of the Year award and becoming the National Youth Ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis.
Previous Experience
Emmah has won numerous awards including the recent announcement on becoming the 2020 South Australian Local Hero and as well as being inducted into the South Australian Women’s Honour roll for her work for Cystic Fibrosis.
She is also winner of the 2019 Australia Day Women Hold Up Half the Sky Award, 2018 Commonwealth Games Queens Baton bearer and the Westpac CEO award. She cites becoming a mother to her two children as one of her greatest achievements to date.
Emmah inspires her audiences with her powerful account about overcoming obstacles, including bullying and depression, and living with an invisible disability.
Emmah is a great example of what persistence, hard work and passion can do and is a great example that anything is possible.
With a list of to do’s, not “impossibles” Emmah not only speaks from the heart and connects with her audiences, but she also motivates and provides actionable, proven steps in her talks.
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
Australian of the Year: Emmah Money, Cystic Fibrosis Advocate
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening hereditary illness in Australia, affecting the lungs and digestive system - and limiting average life expectancy to 37 years. Diagnosed with CF as a newborn, Emmah Money was given up for adoption after doctors believed she wouldn't survive. Just before her 17th birthday, Emmah found her biological family by chance, who believed she had passed away. Now in her thirties and mother of two, Emmah has a list of credible achievements to her name. As an Ambassador for the Cure4CF Foundation, Emmah raises awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis and won a three-year battle with the Australian Government to put the life-changing drug, Orkambi, on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Through her social media platform, CF Mummy, Emmah has raised more than $50,000 to support research into a cure. Emmah regularly speaks in schools across Australia, inspiring students with her powerful account about overcoming obstacles, including bullying and depression, and living with an invisible disability.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
