It is hoped that an upcoming event will raise awareness and money for those battling Cystic Fibrosis in the region. On May 26th, people in over 70 cities across the country, including Grande Prairie, will participate in the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History.
This will be the 9th year the event has taken place in the city and Co-Coordinator Rayline Ziegler says it’s for an important cause.
“This is the number one fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults and so far there’s no cure.”
Cystic Fibrosis mainly affects the digestive system and lungs and can cause symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and lung damage. It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has CF.
The money raised at this walk will go to Cystic Fibrosis Canada for research into medications and a possible cure. Ziegler says that without walks like these raising funds, that work wouldn’t be possible.
While she says she sometimes worries about smaller cities getting less support than larger ones, she believes these walks help keep places like Grande Prairie on the radar.
“We are in the north; we’re not in Edmonton or in Toronto or Vancouver so I want to make sure that with increased funds we make sure the same support is available right across Canada from small locations to large locations which is why there are so many walks taking place.”
Ziegler says she’s hoping to see around 150 people come out this year, but if they see less than that it’s still worth doing. The walk will take place at Muskoseepi Park at 10:30 a.m. People are able to register at the event or ahead of time online.