Atlanta walk aims for ‘great strides’ for cystic fibrosis

After all, look how far the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has already come, standing on its own two feet.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system of some 70,000 people worldwide. The donor-reliant, nonprofit foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure, thanks in no small part to the 125,000 people who take part in nearly 600 “Great Strides” events held around the country at different times of the year.

On May 16, it's Atlanta turn to try to play pacesetter again as its Great Strides event kicks off at 9 a.m. on the Georgia Tech campus. Last year's 5K walk here raised more money — $1.6 million — than any other, said Vicki Nix, development director for the Georgia chapter of the CF Foundation.

“We’re trying to get past that this year,” said Nix, going on to list some of the perks for walkers, including ice cream and cotton candy just beyond the finish line (there’ll also be barbecue and a kids’ activity area). Things look good already: On the regularly updated “2015 Top Walks” list on the Great Strides home page, Atlanta is currently No. 1, well ahead of runner-up New York.