Kivi Park hosts annual CF walk – The Sudbury Star

The local chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada invites Sudbury residents to the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History at Kivi Park on Sunday, May 28.

Sudburians will join thousands of Canadians on this day as they participate in community walks across the country to celebrate fundraising efforts and support Cystic Fibrosis Canadas mission to end cystic fibrosis. Money raised goes to world-class research and to advocate and support high-quality individualized CF care.

This is the first year the walk will take place at Kivi Park, 4472 Long Lake Rd., and organizers are aiming to increase participation and awareness surrounding this fatal disease that affects children, adolescents and adults.

Kivi Park has more than 300 acres of space, which makes it the ideal location for us, Chantal Filion, president of the local chapter, said. There is more than enough space to accommodate our CF community and supporters, as well as abide by the infection control policy.

People living with CF are at greater risk of getting lung infections than those who dont have the disease. For this reason people living with CF must keep a distance of six feet from each other at all times.

In Canada, it is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born has CF, a disease that has various effects on the body, but mainly on the digestive system and lungs. Currently, there is no cure.

This is the reality for more than 4,100 Canadians who attend specialized CF clinics and the reality for the Filion family in Sudbury.

Filions sister, Megan, is the treasurer of the Sudbury chapter. The sisters have organized the Walk since 2014, during which time they have raised more than $52,000.

Megans daughter, Janessa, was diagnosed with CF at the age of one.

These local fundraising efforts will benefit my family and provide funds for research and care to others who live with CF across Canada, Megan said. Hopefully one day we will find a cure so my daughter and others affected can live a long and healthy life with less worry.

Janessa is 15 now and follows a strict daily routine in order to stay healthy. To keep her lungs clear, airway clearance techniques are administered a few times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time. Janessa must take many medications to ensure her digestive system remains healthy, too. Janessa is in Grade 9 and fortunately is able to attend high school. She visits the CF clinic at Health Sciences North every three months.

Participants will enjoy full use of Kivi Park, although the 3.5 km Green Trail, also known as the Wishing Tree Trail, will be dedicated to the walk.

We are excited to be able to support groups like Cystic Fibrosis Canada and their effort to raise money and awareness about our countrys most common fatal genetic disease, Melissa Sheridan, park leader, said.

The Sudbury Cystic Fibrosis clinic in NEO Kids at Health Sciences North is the only CF clinic in Northern Ontario, attracting patients from as far as Timmins, Sault Ste Marie, Temiskaming and Parry Sound.

According to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry, there are 30 children and 43 adults that attend the clinic in Sudbury.

Catherine Watsons two children, Braeden, 14, and Parker, 8, both live with CF.

Both boys are extremely active in most sports, which can make it that much more difficult for them to cope when not feeling well, she said. They often push through how they are feeling in order to remain active and accomplish what they have set out to do. They are determined not to let cystic fibrosis define the way they live.

The Watson family has attended every CF Walk in Sudbury over the past six years.

Walk day is an emotional day for me especially when you see the large groups of family and friends making their way to the start line, Watson said. The walk is a reminder that we are not alone while dealing with a disease that can be very isolating at times.

The walk takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Food and entertainment will follow. To register for the May 28 walk, visit cysticfibrosis.ca/walk.

Sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca

View original post here:

Kivi Park hosts annual CF walk - The Sudbury Star