Bath to host Carleton County's first Cystic Fibrosis Walk this Sunday

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By Angela Ferguson

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To one local girl, the best part about finding a cure is never having to take a daily dose of pills again.

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PHOTO BY ANGELA FERGUSON

There are approximately 12 families from Woodstock to Grand Falls with a member suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. The Brennans of Carlow and the O'Neills of Bath have children with the disease, including Deidra and Leah Brennan and Colton O'Neill. From left, hanging off the jungle gym is nine-year-old Connor O'Neill. Being helped by his mother, Monica O'Neill, is Colton, 3. Preparing to go down the slide is seven-year-old Cody O'Neill. Giving her dad, Jodi O'Neill, a high-five as she comes down the slide is Carrie, 4. Pushing his eight-year-old daughter Deidra on the swing is Peter Brennan, and his wife Katharine pushes their six-year-old daughter Leah.

PHOTO BY ANGELA FERGUSON

Three-year-old Colton O'Neill of Bath enjoys playing on the jungle gym in his backyard.

PHOTO BY ANGELA FERGUSON

Carlow resident Deidra Brennan, 8, has to take a handful of enzyme pills every day after eating. The young girl hopes the money raised through the upcoming C.F. Walk will help to fund a cure, so she and her six-year-old sister, Leah, won't ever have to take pills again.

PHOTO BY ANGELA FERGUSON

Katharine Brennan pushes her six-year-old daughter Leah on a swing. The pair will be seen at the C.F. Walk in Bath on Aug. 24. Katharine was one of several parents with children who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis to organize the first C.F. walk in the area.

PHOTO BY ANGELA FERGUSON

A symbolic Volunteer Service Pin is provided by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The card attached reads: The volunteer service pin is designed to recognize volunteers who serve the CF cause with distinction. The logo on the pin features a "C" and an "F" with the overall design symbolizing the child born with CF. The two interlocking links represent the two CF genes the child inherits from his parents. The four outer loops indicate the one in four possibility each child has of inheriting CF when both parents carry the CF gene. The broken links symbolize the ongoing search for a cure or control of CF.

Eight-year-old Deidra Brennan of Carlow was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (C.F.) at six months old. She needs to take about four enzyme pills after breakfast, six after most meals and even has to ingest a dosage after enjoying a snack because her body is unable to grasp nutrients.

Deidra dreams of the day when swallowing a handful of pills after every meal – along with undergoing chest therapy before and after school and inhaling through an aerosol mask for about 15 minutes every morning – won't be needed to keep her healthy. Where her six-year-old sister has the hereditary disease, too, Deidra eagerly awaits the day when Leah won't need daily treatment either.

That's why the young girls' parents, Katharine and Peter Brennan, are joining forces with fellow residents to raise money for a cure.

A Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's C.F. Walk is held annually in Moncton. But, due to schedules, local parents have a hard time attending the event. This year, they won't miss out because, on Sunday, Aug. 24, Carleton County residents will host the area's first C.F. Walk, and everyone is invited.

Joining the Brennans in organizing the fundraiser are Jodi and Monica O'Neill of Bath. Their three-year-old son, Colton, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis even before he was born.

Cystic Fibrosis attacks the lungs and digestive system. Katharine Brennan explains that the body produces mucus 24/7, and the mucus can coat the lining of the lungs, eliminating proper air exchange. It can also block the pancreatic duct, which allows the release of enzymes to break down food.

From their appearance, one would never know Colton, Leah and Deidra are sick. The two girls go to school, and all three play just like all of their friends. They look healthy and feel healthy.

Katharine said she believes the advancements being made in the medical field concerning C.F. are the reasons the children are coping well with the disease.

"What's exciting about raising money is hopefully we can help with these advancements," she added.

Her husband, Peter, said there are clinical trials being held all over the world, which means, "it's just a matter of time" before a cure is found.

Besides having to take enzyme pills and extra vitamins with a focus on vitamin K, the Brennan and O'Neill children meet with a Halifax-based C.F. team in Fredericton every six months. The team is from the IWK hospital and includes a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, dietitian and social worker, who follow the children's progress from diagnosis to age 18. Children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis also have to meet with a pediatrician approximately twice a year for check ups on their growth and development.

Katharine said handling all of the aspects of C.F. was hard at first, but "the more you read about it, the more you understand it and the easier it is."

The Brennans and O'Neills organized this weekend's C.F. Walk with help from Bev and Brian Richardson of Woodstock – whose six-year-old son Colin has the disease – and Gary and Dorothy Foster of Moose Mountain, who lost their 28-year-old daughter Nola to C.F. eight years ago this month.

They hope to attract at least 150 people. The cost to enter is $5 per person, $20 per family or through pledges.

Registration for the walk will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Bath Lions Den. Following registration, the walk will begin at the Den and continue once around the block. Participants can then enjoy hot dogs and a family swim at the Bath pool.

Although Deidra is only eight years old, she understands that the walk is being held "to raise money for the hospitals so the doctors can find a cure for C.F."

"I hope a lot of people come," she said, adding that she plans to run during the C.F. Walk.

Her mother, Katharine, said C.F. currently stands for Cystic Fibrosis. But, turning to her daughter, she asks, "What do we hope it's going to mean?"

"Cure Found," the young girl answers with a smile.

It is estimated that one in every 2,500 children born in Canada has Cystic Fibrosis, and at least 12 families from Woodstock to Grand Falls has a member who suffers from the disease.

For more information on the upcoming C.F. Walk or to acquire a pledge form contact the Richardsons at 328-6280; the O'Neills at 278-3017 or 392-2533; the Brennans at 392-8229; or the Fosters at 278-5358.