May is officially Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month in Thunder Bay.
This comes as Cystic Fibrosis Canada celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025.
Thunder Bay raised an awareness flag at City Hall following the announcement.
“Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a national charity that funds research, advocates for improved access to treatments, and provides information and support to Canadians living with cystic fibrosis,” explained Thunder Bay Walk Coordinator Karen Danelisky. “They’ve driven the CF story in Canada since July of 1960, from research grants to advocacy and newborn screening and drug coverage.”
In 1954, CF was seen as a pediatric disease, with the median age of survival for a child born with the disease being four to five years of age.
By 1989, CF Canada had assisted with funding research that led to the mapping of the gene that causes cystic fibrosis.
Recently, Health Canada approved the drug Trikafta for certain rare mutations associated with cystic fibrosis, which is a significant advancement in treatment options.
“For most children diagnosed in the next few years, their experience with cystic fibrosis will be much different than those in the past,” said Danelisky. “It will most likely be a more hopeful story, but today there is still an immense burden for many Canadians living with cystic fibrosis, and we work hard on their behalf.”
Extensive progress has been made over the years, and as of 2025, the median age of survival for individuals with CF in Canada is now 60 years of age.
“Today in Canada, we have newborn screening, highly effective CF modulator drugs such as Trikafta and 65 per cent of the people living with CF in Canada are now living into adulthood,” said Danelisky. “Cystic fibrosis remains the most common fatal genetic illness affecting Canadian children and young adults. The world of cystic fibrosis is in a time of great change.”
Later this month CF Canada is marking the 21st anniversary of the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History, which has raised more than $48 million since 2005.
The walk takes place in 40 communities across Canada and funds raised from the event support Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s work to lengthen and improve the lives of the over 4,500 Canadians who live with CF.
“Yes, we’ve come a long way. Many Canadians are living healthier, longer lives, yet there is still no cure,” added Danelisky. “We’re working to that day when all Canadians with cystic fibrosis can live healthier, fuller, longer lives with your health. We believe that no one who lives with cystic fibrosis should be left behind.
Locally, the walk is taking place on May 25 at Halfway Motors Power Sports from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
