An event that will help raise funds to continue research efforts to try and find a cure for cystic fibrosis is coming to Osoyoos early this summer.
Sandra Niven, an associate in fund development with Cystic Fibrosis Canada (B.C. and Yukon region), made a presentation to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday providing details of how the annual GearUp4CF Bicycle Ride fundraising event will be visiting Osoyoos for the first time this summer.
The fundraising bicycle ride will see participants riding from Vancouver starting on June 23 and arriving in Osoyoos on June 25, where a fundraising barbecue will take place at the Poplar’s Motel, said Niven.
Organizers have talked about bringing the event to Osoyoos for some time – the event is now celebrating its 13th year – and are very pleased it’s going to happen in June, she said.
“Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults,” Niven told council. “There is no cure. It is a multi-system disease that attacks the lungs and digestive system.
“There are almost 4,000 Canadians living with CF. Each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed and one person dies from the disease.”
But there is hope, she said.
“Thanks to investments in CF research and care, Canadians are living longer healthier lives than ever before. In the 1960s, a child with Cystic Fibrosis was not expected to live long enough to go to kindergarten. Today, 60 per cent of Canadians with the disease are living into adulthood.
“We encourage our citizens to join the fight against CF by supporting Cystic Fibrosis Canada to help raise funds to find a cure or control … and continue to help Canadians battling this fatal disease.”
CF Canada will also be sponsoring a fundraising walk in Penticton and Kamloops on May 27 and a handful of supporters from Osoyoos will be participating in the Penticton event, she said.
Niven asked Mayor Sue McKortoff and members of council if they would sign a proclamation declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
It’s crucial that organizations like CF Canada continue to raise awareness as one in 3,600 Canadian children suffer from the disease and it’s crucial that money is raised to continue important research trials, she said.
The Kinsmen Club in Summerland has been a long-time supporter of the organization and members of that club will make the trip to Osoyoos for the fundraising barbecue on the afternoon of June 25, said Niven.
McKortoff thanked Niven for providing this information and said council and the Town will do whatever is can to ensure the upcoming event is a big success.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
