Great Strides Walk this Weekend for Cystic Fibrosis

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Rachel Eides, GoLocalProv Contributor

With a potential cure within reach for the life-threatening lung disease cystic fibrosis, support is more valuable than ever before. Help move toward this remarkable goal by registering for Rhode Island's CF Walk this Saturday at Slater Park, or through donating to the CF Foundation.  

Amy and Greg Lupica, Co-Chairmen of the Providence Cystic Fibrosis Walk, are parents of Will Lupica, 9th-grade student at The Wheeler School, who was diagnosed with CF at six months old. “Since we began our fundraising efforts for the CF Foundation,” Amy said, “we were always hopeful that the money we raised would lead to a better future for Will and others with the disease.”  

Toward saving lives

A new medication from Vertex Pharmaceuticals tackles the disease at the basic defect and has caused radical improvements in lung function and weight gain. Recently, the CF Foundation committed another $75 million to Vertex to continue work on another medication that will target the most common and deadly form of CF. “It’s a stretch for the CF Foundation to meet this commitment,” Amy said, “but we’re at the cusp of amazing progress.”  

The voice of the CF Walk

Every year, someone connected to the disease delivers a speech at the end of the event to all of the assembled walkers. On Saturday, Janie Lupica, a senior at Moses Brown School and Will’s sister, will share her perspective. “Throughout high school, Janie’s been thinking about her relationship with her family through the lens of Will’s disease,” Amy said, “She’s realized the importance of CF in our family dynamic.”  

“As siblings, we truly experience the disease first hand,” Janie said, “Now at this exciting time, I can continue to inspire other siblings and people to work toward finding a cure and support for CF.”  

The CF Walk will be at a new site, Slater Park in Pawtucket, this Saturday morning, May 21st. Registration begins at 8:30am and the walk will begin at 9am. There will be food, entertainment and raffles.  

 “Your continued support keeps us going and gives us hope that we will see our dreams come true,” Amy said.

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