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Community Corner

Great Strides Walk at Holtsville Ecology Center

Nearly 1,000 participants walk to fight Cystic Fibrosis.

"I knew a little girl who did go to Good Samaritan Hospital; at their Cystic Fibrosis Center.  She used to spend time with me every once in a while when her mom and dad had to do things.  I always had this little vile of medicine ready to give her.

"Basically, I was told that she formed fluid and mucous in her lungs.  Sometimes she would become so congested that she could not breathe.  We had to watch her and make sure that she wouldn't eat anything she wasn't supposed to and stayed away from animals.  If anything did happen, I was supposed to call "911" immediately, but she did have to take her medication.   She was very, very good.  She was about five years old."

Those were the words of Georgine Bellando, who normally works at Good Samaritan Hospital for Community Health, Public and External Affairs.  However, on Sunday, June 6, she was volunteering her services at the Holtsville Ecology Site, where the Great Strides 5K Cystic Fibrosis Walk was taking place.

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"Her parents wanted her to be brought up as a normal child," she said. "She doesn't live in New York anymore.  She's about 16 or 17 years old and I believe she's doing better."

Registered Nurse Regina Barrett joined the discussion to explain a bit more about what cystic fibrosis is:  "It's a disease of the glands that secret mucous.  It primarily affects the lungs and the digestive glands.  It's a congenital disease and the survival rate depends on what type it is.  We have some patients who are in their 70's and some who, unfortunately, die when they are young adults."

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The event in Holtsville proved to be enormously popular.  Parking spaces were at a  premium and many people settled for parking on the grass while others resorted to leaving their vehicles on Buckley Road. 

According to Barbara Feltkamp, the Special Events Specialist who supervised the day, approximately 1,000 people participated in the event. 

"Basically, this day is about finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis," she said. "Most of the people here are families; there are a lot of children here.  They have to be outdoors with each other because they can get each other sick otherwise.  This is a place where they can all come together once a year.  We raise funds and actually find researchers and fund the research that is currently being done to find a cure.  We're making great progress, too." 

This was the 19th year of the event in Holtsville. 

"Next year will be out twentieth," Feltkamp proudly stated.  "This is one of the oldest walks on Long Island.  Each year we try to make it better and give the families a great day."

It most certainly was a great day.  The weather cooperated and families walked the route together.  There were also groups from such businesses as Kohl's Department Store and Starbucks.  The atmosphere was enthusiastic and it was a most worthy cause.  Here's hoping that next year provides an even greater turn-out to battle this grave illness.

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