CARSTAR’s Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis Canada raised $15,300 on May 31.
About 100 walkers participated in the walk striving for a world where cystic fibrosis will no longer be a progressive life shortening disease.
Krista Houston, event organizer said, “I’m very happy to announce our walkers raised over $15,300 to help in the fight against cystic fibrosis – every cent will go to support high quality medical care and research into finding a cure for this devastating disease.”
Acting Mayor, Coun. Marlene Wright spoke of remarkable progress being made in treatment for people who have cystic fibrosis. Walkers were led in an upbeat warm up by Risa Branchi before heading out on the 3 km walk which started at Penfield School. Face painter Jillian Legendre from Detailed Face Painting made lots of children very happy. More fun for children was had as they explored a firetruck. Brian Shaw, Campbell River’s amazing bagpiper piped the walkers off.
M.C. Bill Black thanked all those who came and walked in support of the CF cause. He expressed a big thank you to the new national title sponsor for the walk Carstars who were well represented with teams from Carstars/ TC Valley Collision in Courtenay and Carstars/ Rich’s Autobody in Campbell River. He also thanked local sponsors for the event including; Marine Harvest, Capacity Forest Products; Boston Pizza, Dairy Queen, Thrifty Foods, Walmart, Quality Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart. He thanked Jim Costain and his family from Dairy Queen and the Kinsmen for an excellent barbecue lunch. For 31 years the local Kin Club has also been of tremendous support to the Campbell River Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Kim Wood, 33, who has cystic fibrosis managed to complete the walk despite being quite ill recently. She said, “it is so heartwarming to see all these people working to help me and others like me live a longer and better life – it helps me work hard to beat this disease.”