# Why I Stride 4 CF

It’s been nearly two months since my last post.  I owe you an update on Jody, and I plan to do that soon, but I’d like to use this post to tell you about the CF walk we participated in last month.  Each year the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holds nearly 600 walks nationwide to raise funds for research and drug development for CF.  They term these walks “Great Strides” events.  One of the things I enjoy the most about this event is being in the presence of so many people who know and understand Cystic Fibrosis.  It seems like almost every day of my life I need to explain CF to someone, and while I’m happy to do so, and consider it a calling of sorts, it’s a relief to be in an environment where I don’t need to do that (even if for just one day).  It was fun to meet other CFer’s and CF caregivers, and to encourage them to press on in their fight against Cystic Fibrosis.

Jody and I would like to thank those of you who joined us for this walk; your support meant more than you know.  Likewise, we are appreciative to all the people who made a donation to our team and ultimately helped those living with CF.  Would you believe this one-day Lancaster Great Strides event raised over $172,600?!  Can you imagine how much is raised nationwide?  This is exciting for those of us that have been touched personally by the work of the CF Foundation and hope for a cure for the disease.

 At the walk Jody and I were privileged to say a few brief words and share a portion of Jody’s journey with those in attendance. I am continuously amazed at the reach of Jody’s story and although it has not always been an easy road, I hope that we are able to use it to encourage others. At the walk I was also able to meet a few readers of this blog and it was fun to hear your stories (thank you for introducing yourselves to me). Overall it was a fun morning of hanging out with friends and family, raffles, photos, exercise, lunch, and most of all… supporting a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Below are a few snapshots of the event (click photos to enlarge and read/add comments):

FYI: Per the guidelines of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for outdoor events, people living with Cystic Fibrosis need to maintain a six-foot distance from one another to prevent the spread of bacteria and cross infections. In order to make those with CF easily identifiable at the walk, anyone who has the disease is given a green shirt like the one Jody is wearing and is asked to keep a healthy distance from anyone else with the same green shirt.

 # WeStride4Jody

(and others living with Cystic Fibrosis)

Tags: cystic fibrosis, Great Strides, Walk for a cure