For three decades residents of Swift Current have walked to raise money and awareness for cystic fibrosis (CF), and that tradition continued Sunday afternoon. 

This year's edition of the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History featured 53 participants and raised a total of $10,275. 

Yvonne Laviolette, co-chair of the Swift Current Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis, said that this year's walk was different than no other - a great success. 

"It's wonderful that year after year they come out and support us and cystic fibrosis. It's nice to see the same smiling faces every year as well as the new ones that come and join the walk," she said. "It's important because we would like to get rid of this disease or do what we can to make a cure for the children that are affected by it." 

She added that the money would be spread out across the province. 

"It gets distributed amongst the south and northern chapter of Saskatchewan, and it goes to help with patient care as well as funds being distributed to help with research." 

Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults, and currently there is no cure. 

CF causes various effects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. The degree of CF severity differs from person to person. However, the persistence and ongoing infection in the lungs, with the destruction of the lungs and loss of lung function, will eventually lead to death in the majority of people with CF. 

It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has CF. More than 4,300 Canadian children, adolescents, and adults with cystic fibrosis attend specialized CF clinics. 

Laviolette said that it means a lot to see the number of people and funds raised by Swift Current every year. 

"For us, as Kinsmen and Kinettes, it does mean a lot to come out and help support these families as cystic fibrosis is our national project," she said. "It's something that we hold dear to our hearts, and that we have been involved in for over 25 years, and we've been helping this walk since it started in Swift Current. We still have lots of support, and even if people can't be there, they still are very generous with their funds, sending them along with a friend or family member." 

Swift Current wasn't the only place raising money for CF, as there were over 84 walks and virtual walks held across the country, including three others in Saskatchewan as Estevan, Regina, and Saskatoon also hosted walks.