Media / Health

07 Patrick Gower | The price of a miracle

05:00 am on 24 February 2022

Listen to Paddy Gower discuss his journalism career and the story that most impacted him

Rev. Frank Ritchie and Newshub National Correspondent Patrick Gower Photo: Stephanie Soh

It almost never became a story - but a simple email led Paddy Gower to connect with a community of New Zealanders impacted by the genetic condition cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is often diagnosed in newborns, affecting both the respiratory and digestive systems, with most sufferers unlikely to live to the age of 40.

A life-changing new miracle drug is now available, but the price tag keeps it just out of reach for so many.

In this interview with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Paddy Gower reflects on his own experience of burnout as Newshub’s political editor, and the profound impact that the community affected by cystic fibrosis have had on him personally.

re_covering is a Media Chaplaincy New Zealand podcast series produced for RNZ by Love It Media.


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