Spring is in the air, and this is the time of year when Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) chapters across the country take millions of steps during the Great Strides walks to cure the genetic disease. In Northeast Florida, six Great Strides walks will take place throughout April and May, offering a variety of locations to participate and raise money in support of CFF research. Last year, North Florida teams raised nearly $300,000 and this year’s goal is to top $400,000.

The schedule for Northeast Florida Great Strides includes:

• Saturday, April 6 – St. Augustine Great Strides at World Golf Village
• Thursday, May 2 – RiverWalk Great Strides at River City Brewing Company
• Saturday, May 4 – Beaches Great Strides at Hanna Park
• Saturday, May 11 –  Clay County Great Strides at Orange Park Kennel Club
• Thursday, May 16 – Keiser University Great Strides at Southpoint Campus
• Saturday, May 18 – Fernandina Beach Great Strides at Fort Clinch State Park

Check-in for Saturday walks begins at 8 a.m. and the walk distance is officially 10K (or 6.2 miles), although most routes have a shorter option. The walk routes are suitable for walking, running, strollers, wagons, bicycles, scooters and four-legged friends. A Kid’s Corner at each walk location provides activities for the smallest participants and their families. In addition, there are drinks, food and awards awaiting walkers during the post-walk celebration.

The Riverwalk Great Strides walk takes place on a shorter course along the Southbank Riverwalk adjacent to the St. Johns River, starting and finishing at River City Brewing’s outside deck area. The Keiser University site is also a shorter walk that will have a 5K run option this year. Check-in starts for both Thursday walks at 5 p.m. Following the walks, participants will enjoy music and light snacks.

Participants can register for Great Strides by visiting the Great Strides website at www.cff.org/Chapters/nfl/greatstrides. Once the team leader has registered online, walkers can sign up and utilize the online fundraising tools provided. Everyone who raises at least $100 receives an official Great Strides team t-shirt. Super Striders, those who have raised $500 by walk day, will receive a special Super Striders gift.

This is a historic time in the fight against cystic fibrosis. Promising therapies that treat the underlying cause of CF, rather than just the symptoms, are in late-stage clinical trials. The first of these medicines, Kalydeco, was released in January 2012 and for the 6 percent of the CF population that is benefiting, the impact has been dramatic. Patients taking Kalydeco have experience significant increase in lung function, as well as a lessening of other symptoms like nasal polyps and the inability to keep a healthy body mass. If successful, these additional compounds could change the face of the disease and the prognosis for all those who suffer from it. Because of the Foundation and the funds it raises, people with CF are living longer and healthier lives. The outlook for people with cystic fibrosis continues to improve, year after year.

For more information on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and their activities throughout the year in North Florida, visit http://nfl.cff.org or call the CF Foundation of North Florida office at (904) 733-3560.