Media Advisory - Great Strides™ walk this Sunday, May 26

Join the fight against cystic fibrosis in one of 60 walks in Canada

TORONTO, May 23, 2013 /CNW/ - This Sunday, May 26, more than 12,000 Canadians will take steps to find a cure for cystic fibrosis in 60 locations across Canada in Cystic Fibrosis Canada's largest annual national fundraiser - the Great Strides™ walk. The Great Strides™ walk, now in its ninth year in Canada, raises crucial funding for life-enhancing CF research, care and advocacy that is helping to improve the lives of almost 4,000 Canadians living with this disease.

"Cystic Fibrosis Canada urges every Canadian to show support for people battling this vicious disease by joining or sponsoring a participant in a Great Strides™ walk," said Maureen Adamson, President and CEO at Cystic Fibrosis Canada. "We are making progress, but there is much more to do. We can only continue to take steps to find a cure or control for this vicious disease through generous funding support."

Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease that affects Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. Each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed and one person dies from this disease. Last year, half of those who died were 34 years old or younger.

"The funds raised from the Great Strides™ walk have the power to change the lives of Canadians with cystic fibrosis," said Bonnie Brillinger, a Canadian who battles cystic fibrosis. "My life has become a long, full life due to the progress of research and new treatments that have been funded by this campaign. Please join me and my family by supporting a Great Strides™ walk."

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is grateful for the support of our National Sponsors: Abbott, Kin Canada, and Siemens.

To register, collect pledges and/or make a donation to a Great Strides™ walk in your community, please visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides.

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. It is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. As improved therapies have helped to address the malnutrition issues, ultimately most deaths related to cystic fibrosis are due to lung disease. There is no cure.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is one of the world's top three charitable organizations committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and is an internationally-recognized leader in funding CF research, innovation, and clinical care. We invest more funding in life-saving CF research and care than any other non-governmental agency in Canada. Since 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has invested almost $150 million in leading research, care and advocacy, resulting in one of the world's highest survival rates for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. For more information, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Videos, B-roll footage and photographs of Canadians with cystic fibrosis are available at http://www.vvcnetwork.ca/cf/20120501/.

SOURCE: Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Media Contact: 
Melinda McInnes, Communications Director
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
E-mail: [email protected] 
Tel: [phone] x 240
Tel: [phone] x 240
www.cysticfibrosis.ca