ESTEVAN — For a decade now, Kacey McIntyre has been steadfastly devoted to the cause of making cystic fibrosis history. It's a journey that began when her son Liam was diagnosed with the disease at just four weeks old.

"I've been fundraising for the Walk to Make CF History for 10 years now," McIntyre shared. "Once we found out about Liam, it changed our lives in so many ways. I decided that we were going to start doing what we can locally."

Cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal disease affecting young Canadians, poses significant challenges to those it afflicts. "It destroys their lungs and digestive systems, usually the most," McIntyre explained. "There is no cure."

With a heartfelt dedication to improving the lives of those living with cystic fibrosis, McIntyre has been instrumental in organizing the annual Estevan Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History. This year marks her 10th anniversary of involvement, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Cystic Fibrosis Organization.

Reflecting on her journey, McIntyre emphasized the importance of spreading awareness and support for the cause. "We want to be able to have other families, when they hear their child has cystic fibrosis, to say there's so many opportunities, there's clinics, there's treatments, there's breakthroughs coming in every day and that they're not alone."

As preparations for the walk intensify, McIntyre discussed the various avenues for participation and fundraising. Pledge forms are available on the walk.cysticfibrosis.ca website, offering individuals an opportunity to register for the walk and collect donations. Additionally, McIntyre encouraged community members to share their fundraising ideas, highlighting the ongoing bottle drive led by a local resident named Ron.

Scheduled for Sunday, May 26th, the Estevan Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History will take place at Woodlawn Regional Park. This year, organizers aim to foster inclusivity by hosting the event at the binzebo, located by Mets Stadium and Lingelbach Field.

While there isn't a strict deadline for registration, McIntyre emphasized the benefits of signing up early. "We do a lot of perks for registering," she noted, citing swag bags and raffle items as incentives for participants.

Looking ahead, McIntyre expressed gratitude for the community's ongoing support and encouraged those interested to learn more through the walk's Facebook page or the official website.