For Immediate Release

6th annual Great Strides™: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis walk raises more than $2.5 million in support of cystic fibrosis cause

Toronto, ON (June 8, 2010) – On Sunday, May 30, thousands of Canadians participated in the 2010 Great Strides™ walk to help step up the fight against cystic fibrosis (CF). To date, more than $2.5 million have been raised in support of the work of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

In more than 55 communities across Canada, dedicated volunteers, participants, organizers and sponsors made the Great Strides™ walk a huge success.

“We are tremendously grateful to all the volunteers and participants of this year’s Great Strides™ walk,” said Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “It’s been another record-setting year, and it could not have happened without the help of caring Canadians.”

Cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs and the digestive system, is the most common, fatal, genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure.

This year, the Foundation is supporting more than 50 research projects, which are exploring all aspects of the cystic fibrosis puzzle; from investigating new methods of fighting infection and inflammation in the lungs, to finding new therapies that target the basic defect at a cellular level.

The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is grateful to its returning sponsors: Zellers, Kin Canada, Siemens Canada Ltd., Gilead Sciences Canada, Advocis and American Airlines.

About the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a Canada-wide health charity, with 50 volunteer chapters, that funds cystic fibrosis research and care.

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For more information, or to speak with a family in your community affected by cystic fibrosis, please contact:

Sagal Ali
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
1-800-378-2233 ext. 290
sali@cysticfibrosis.ca
www.cysticfibrosis.ca