THE mother of TV celebrity Katie Price’ has told how she is battling a rare and life-threatening lung condition.

Amy Price, spoke out about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a rare and serious lung condition – on a trip to Parliament to raise awareness and she said more needs to be done to improve care.

Amy, who lives in Worthing, said: “When I was diagnosed, I was a bit shocked but I just wanted to carry on with my normal life.”

IPF leaves people struggling to breathe and some sufferers need to carry oxygen with them.

Amy said: “I think the event at Parliament could, in some way, help to create greater awareness and encourage decision makers to rethink the way people with IPF should be cared for from the time of diagnosis. We are overlooked in care, underfunded in research and need to become a priority for the government to find a cure.”

The meeting was arranged by the MP Maggie Throup, whose mother died of the illness. She is calling for better care for people living with the rare condition.

The event, organised by Roche Products Limited, which has offices in Burgess Hill, brought together those living with IPF and politicians from all parties to raise awareness of the disease.

Mrs Throup hosted the meeting to hear their stories and discuss what action could be taken to improve care and diagnosis.

She said: “I’m delighted to be championing people with IPF.

“I know from first-hand experience with my mother’s illness how life-changing a diagnosis of IPF can be, and I have been inspired by those who have attended today to share their experiences.”

Currently around 15,000 people in the UK live with IPF.

Earlier diagnosis, support, treatment and information, alongside learning how to manage the condition can help with symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

Average life expectancy from time of diagnosis is around three years.

At the meeting, participants raised the issue of a gap in early stage treatment and care.

In a British Lung Foundation report, a patient described the current situation as the equivalent to “telling a cancer patient they cannot have treatment until their tumour increases in size”.