THUNDER BAY – On Sunday, the 20th annual fundraising walk in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada was held at Half-Way Motors Powersports.
“Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic illness affecting children and young adults in Canada,” said Karen Danelisky, coordinator for the 2024 Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History.
“As it stands now, there is no cure. There are some effective controls that are extending the lives of our patients, but unfortunately it is still a fatal disease,” she said.
Danelisky said the reason they hold this event year after year, and raise as much money as they can, is to find a cure for CF, or an effective control that extends a patient’s life to a normal lifespan.
She intends to continue with the event and all fundraising opportunities until a cure has been found. The main goal is to live in a world without cystic fibrosis.
The annual Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History offered music, face painting, popcorn sales, raffles, kid’s games and a barbecue.
The police pipe band piped out the participants and they began their walk along the river.
In honour of the 20th anniversary of the walk for CF, the local committee set a goal of “$20k for 20 years.” They were approximately two thirds of the way to the goal on Sunday afternoon.
“The funds always go to cystic fibrosis research. They fund the clinics that are located in the cities that walks are held,” Danelisky said.
“Some of the funds will come back to Thunder Bay to host clinics here for CF patients.”
"We have a lot of new families coming up that are being diagnosed now with the genetic testing at birth. It’s being found faster and the patients are able to be treated quicker," she said.
“It’s extending their lives,” Danelisky said.
Donations to the walk to make cystic fibrosis history will be accepted until August 31.
Donate online through their website.
