Cystic fibrosis walk is May 21

The Nebraska Medical Center/UNMC Cystic Fibrosis team is recruiting walkers for the GREAT STRIDES Walk on Saturday, May 21, at Chalco Hills, Wehrspann Lake, Visitor’s Center.

Check-in is at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Walkers can choose their distance up to 5K or 10K. There will be a breakfast for the walkers and a picnic lunch after the walk.

Did you know Cystic fibrosis is a complex, genetic disease. It affects about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. It causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus which clogs the lungs leading to life-threatening lung infections. Twenty-five years ago, the median life expectancy of those with CF was only 17 years; today the median life expectancy has risen to just over 34 years.

“This is the biggest fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which has done immense work in improving the life expectancy and quality of life for CF patients,” said John Colombo, M.D., professor, pediatrics pulmonology. “The walk helps fund new research to try to find better treatments and helps fund the centers, of which we are one.”

Dr. Colombo and Peter Murphy, M.D., assistant professor, internal medicine – pulmonology, are directors of The Nebraska Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center at UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Colombo leads the pediatric CF team and Dr. Murphy leads the adult CF team.

Accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Nebraska Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center is the only center of its kind in the region. As a result, patients come to Omaha from across Nebraska, as well as Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas and Colorado.

There are currently about 25 clinical trials going on around the country, Dr. Colombo said. “That number is managed and spearheaded by the CF Foundation.”

To join The Nebraska Medical Center/UNMC team, contact Lisa Runco at 559-7499 or lrunco@unmc.edu or Laura Romero at 559-4671. The team hopes to recruit at least 15 walkers and raise at least $1,500 this year. Participants can make their own donations and/or ask for donations in support of the team; prizes are awarded based on the amount of money raised. Every person on the Walk Team that raises at least $100 will be entered into a drawing for an iPod Shuffle.

There will be an informational booth set up outside Nebraska Cafe on Tuesday, May 10, Wednesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 12, from 10 to 2 p.m

The goal of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure and control cystic fibrosis and improve the quality of life for those with the disease. Nearly 90 cents out of every dollar raised goes to support vital CF programs.

“Cystic fibrosis is a disease that does not affect very many people, hence it is not one that gets the big attention and funds such as heart disease and cancer. It also does not attract much attention from the big pharmaceutical companies as it only has 30,000 customers in the United States (250 in Nebraska),” Dr. Colombo said. “Therefore it is critical that the CF Foundation succeed in raising awareness and funds as, in spite of the small numbers, it is a devastating illness. It is the most common life-shortening genetic illness in Americans of European descent. This is THE most important fundraising event for this illness.”