The Great Strides walk is taking place on Sunday to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that occurs when a child inherits two abnormal genes, one from each parent.
One in 25 Canadians carry the abnormal gene.
When two carriers have a child, there is a 25 per cent chance that child will be born with the disease and a 50 per cent chance they will be a carrier themselves. Carriers do not have cystic fibrosis nor any of the symptoms of the disease.
Cystic fibrosis affects the digestive system and is the cause of persistent and ongoing infections in the lungs that result in the destruction and loss of lung function.
Complications from cystic fibrosis include difficulty digesting fats and proteins, malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies because of the inability to absorb nutrients, progressive lung damage from chronic infections and aberrant inflammation, sinus infections and cystic fibrosis related diabetes.
It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis.
Pitt Meadows cousins Emily Bateson and Melissa Powell, both 14, suffer from cystic fibrosis and will be taking part in the walk.
Both have physiotherapy twice a day, insulin injections three times a day, medical appointments every two months at B.C. Children’s Hospital, plus a yearly admission for two weeks and they take over 60 pills per day.
The 12th annual event will take place along the Fraser River, starting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the base of Harris Road at Fraser Way in Pitt Meadows.
Money raised will go towards research and new treatments across Canada.
There will be free coffee, face painting and a raffle. Dogs are also welcome.
• For more information go to http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca.