THUNDER BAY — The 21st Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis (CF) History fell on Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s 65th anniversary on Sunday.
Over 100 registered participants met outside Half-Way Motors Power Sports, which hosted and started the three-kilometre walk that headed toward William Street.
The fundraiser offered several activities raising money for cystic fibrosis research, including a barbecue, popcorn cart, a games area for kids, some hope and memory balloons, raffles with roughly 40 prizes and Walk Jr. Superhero capes for kids to decorate.
“This event here is a great example of the community coming together to really band together to fight … a cause where there’s no set cure,” said Christian Blake, a 21-year-old spokesperson for this year’s walk.
“… There’s a lot of uncertainty with CF, so each day that we can go by and fight together is just another day to give people with CF a happier, healthier (and) longer life.”
Blake was diagnosed with CF on his mother’s birthday when he was only a year old. Being a spokesperson, he said, entails him “writing his journey” throughout his CF life.
“20 years ago, I was diagnosed with CF and so I’m just speaking on what it’s like to go through that and hopefully share my experiences with everybody else here today so they can get a little glimpse of what it’s like to have CF,” said Blake.
Living with the disorder, he explained that day by day, they just approach the challenges with whatever they can.
“It’s very uncertain with what each day lies ahead, so being able to inspire and be inspired by the community around us really helps me get through the difficult parts of living day to day with CF,” said Blake.
Blake added that he would absolutely be at the walk next year and every other year to come.
He also thanked all the walk’s supporters, all those who donated and the event organizers who did a “really good job” putting everything on Sunday.
“Just, yeah, raise more awareness for CF, especially during the month of May, where it’s so important,” said Blake.
Karen Danelisky, the walk coordinator for 2025, approached the city to declare May as CF Awareness Month outside of city hall earlier this month.
Danelisky initially got involved in the walk-in high school when she met a young woman with cystic fibrosis who has since passed on. She said she still walks in her memory and has a cousin along with many friends in the local CF community, so the walk is something to keep her connected and doing her part to find a cure.
“We hold the walk every year and all the funds raised support CF clinics for CF children and adults here in Thunder Bay and it also funds the research to find the drugs to help cure or effectively control the disease,” said Danelisky.
Since 1967, she explained that the age of survival has gone from not reaching kindergarten to announcing this year that the median age is 60 years of age.
“We’ve made some great strides, but we’re not there yet. It’s not cured. And we need all the help we can get,” said Danelisky.
Danelisky said their goal this year was to raise about $16,000, which they are very close to and have no doubt they will reach and hopefully surpass Sunday.
