Walk to see cystic fibrosis cure
Like other little girls, Maddie likes to run, laugh, and play with animals. But what makes her unique is the number of pills she must take each day just to stay alive.
“It’s not ideal, but it’s our world. We do it every day. I’m thankful that I am Maddie’s mom,” said Ashley Loper.
Seven-year-old Maddie has cystic fibrosis and she and her family are hosting the East Mississippi Great Strides 5K this Saturday to try and find a cure. It’ll be at Lazy Acres Plantation and starts at 9:30 a.m.
“Every year we just try to get it bigger and bigger and get more sponsors and to raise money. This year we’re hoping to raise anywhere from $30- to $40,000 and to help with research,” said Loper.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 people nationwide. All have to take daily medications just to maintain a standard of living and ward off deadly infections.
Like Maddie, who has to take 26 pills each day. That’s 9,490 pills each year.
“She’s such a champ with it. She learned really early on how to swallow them. You have to remind her, but she doesn’t complain about it. She just takes them like there’s nothing to it,” said Loper.
It’s walks like the one this weekend that shed hope on those living with CF. Everyone is encouraged to show their support.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the 5k starts at 10. T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 150 participants.
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