We’ve got another cold and wet day today. Although I’m longing for warmer weather, unfortunately these temperatures aren’t outside the norm for spring in Michigan. But here’s something good…spring means that Great Strides is coming up! That’s something that always warms my heart.

Here is a write up about the walk from the official Great Strides page:

On the 30th anniversary of Great Strides – the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event – we celebrate the many milestones we have achieved thanks to our supporters. Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in over 400 walks across the country to support the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness about this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe.  Their dedication over the past 30 years has resulted in tremendous progress.

The CF Foundation is leading the way in innovative research and drug development, promoting high-quality, individualized care, and helping people with CF live better today. Nearly every CF drug was made possible by the Foundation and because of funds raised from Great Strides, people with CF are living longer, healthier lives and pursuing their dreams.

While we have come so far, we still have so much work to do. The lives of people with this disease are still cut far too short.

Last year our team raised over $4000 and we hope to match or exceed that amount this year! Please consider joining our efforts in some way. Our walk this year is at Washtenaw Community College on Saturday, May 12th at 11:00am.  To join our team, visit the Breathe4Betsy team page. If you’re not local but would still like to be a team member, you can join as a virtual walker and raise money for the team. If you’d like to support our fundraising efforts, please visit our personal pages ( Jaime, Betsy, and Lucas). You can simply show up and walk with us as well!

It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be joined by family and friends in these efforts. My spirits are lifted and I’m reminded that in spite of the many challenges this disease brings into my life, it also affords me blessings. One of these blessings is experiencing the great love and support of so many wonderful people. I am truly grateful!

It’s that time of year again, Great Strides time! Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event.  Here is an explanation from their website:

Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in hundreds of walks across the country to support the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis and raise awareness for this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe.

The CF Foundation is leading the way in innovative research and drug development, promoting high-quality, individualized care and helping people with CF live better todays. Nearly every CF drug was made possible by the Foundation and because of funds raised from Great Strides, people with CF are living longer, healthier lives and pursuing their dreams. But still, the lives of people with this disease are still cut far too short.

Great Strides provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students and colleagues to come together to help make a difference in the lives of people with CF.

Together, let’s LACE UP. WALK. CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS.

We had a great time walking with our teammates last year and we raised over $4000. Please join us in our efforts this year!  If you’re local and can come to the event, it is being held on May 13th at 11:00am.  This year’s location is at Millpond Park in Saline due to construction at the usual walk site.  To join our team, please sign up here. If you’re not local, you can still sign up for the team and raise money as a virtual walker. If you would like to support my fundraising efforts, please visit my personal page.

 

We have so much hope that new life-altering treatments and maybe even a cure will be discovered in my lifetime. There is a lot of positive momentum now and strides are truly being made.

We’re not there yet, but we’re closer than we were yesterday. And so we keep walking.

Thank you all for your love and support!

I don’t know that for certain but I do know it was 36 degrees this morning when I woke up and not a whole lot warmer by the time we all met up for the Great Strides fundraising walk today. Come on people, it’s May for crying out loud!

Overall though, it was a great success! We had about 30 team members who braved the chilly weather to walk with Betsy and our team managed to raise over $4000 for cystic fibrosis research.

We are very thankful for all of our friends and family who participated in one way or another. We are thankful for tangible expressions of solidarity and support. And we are thankful for the ongoing research that is working to develop new treatments for people with cystic fibrosis and hopefully, one day, a cure.

The Great Strides campaign is now done for 2016 but you can support cystic fibrosis research any time at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website!

Thanks again to everyone for their love and support!

A few weeks ago, some dear friends of ours approached us about forming a team to walk in this year’s local Great Strides walk. They’ve named the team Breathe4Betsy and we are working to gain members and raise money for the walk!

Here is an explanation of Great Strides from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s website:

Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in hundreds of walks across the country to support the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis. The funds raised from Great Strides helps provide people with CF the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care.

Great Strides continues to gain momentum, as do our research efforts and the progress we’ve made in the search for a cure. The CF Foundation has raised and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to support the development of new CF drugs and therapies.

Jaime and I have participated in this walk on and off over the years as individuals and are excited and honored by the formation of this team!  If you are local and you can join us, check out Breathe4Betsy’s Team Page. We’d love to have you on the team. This year’s walk is Saturday, May 14th at 11:00am at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor. You can also join as a virtual walker if you want to raise funds but can’t make the event. If you would like to support my fundraising efforts, please check out My Personal Page.

Because I love including photos in my blog posts, I’ve added these pictures of Jaime, Lucas and I walking at Nichols Arboretum this past fall (see the connection?!) Gallup park should be equally beautiful in May! The Great Strides walk is a 5K though, so with that in mind, I’ll definitely be wearing different shoes.

Thank you for your support! We hope and pray that CF will soon stand for “Cure Found.”