Community spirit fosters amazing Walk results
Whether it was a first-time event in Ottawa, the 10th Walk in Calgary, or something in-between, this year’s Walks for Pulmonary Fibrosis are collectively setting records in attendance and funds raised.
As of Oct. 7, we have more than doubled our original goal of $100,000, raising more than $208,000. And more than 1,060 people took part – that’s up from 856 in 2024.
We look forward to bringing you the final tallies in our next issue, along with links to media coverage, attendance by elected officials and our Tribute video. In the meantime, please share your Walk photos.
This is the last call for submissions to be included in our Tribute video, a wonderful way to honour those you know with PF, or those who have passed from the disease. You can also honour those who have supported you: family members, friends or a health care professional. Tell us the name of the person you wish to recognize and why.
A final note: Donations during the Awareness Campaign will be open until October 13, 2025, so be sure to collect your Walk pledges.
September Walks
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. September 6. Frost Park.
This year marked the second annual walk in Yarmouth. Thirty-seven participants raised $1,865.00. Started by Michelle Campbell-Upton, the Campbell Walk honours her father Albert Campbell, who passed away from pulmonary fibrosis in 2017, just before his 76th birthday, as well as all the families affected by PF in Yarmouth.
Michelle even made pet bandanas in CPFF colours (red and blue) to give to the friendly pooches who joined the Walk. The bandanas and the pets were a big hit.
Michelle started the Walk because her family knew little about PF when Albert was diagnosed, and she’s hoping to help other families avoid the uncertainties and fears they faced. Through the Yarmouth Walk, Michelle wants Nova Scotians with PF to know that they are seen, supported, and never alone – while raising funds for resources, research and advocacy for better treatment access.
Kelowna CPFF Walk for Helene. September 6. Kinsmen Softball Complex
Due to the extreme heat and smoke from nearby wildfires, Helene’s friends, who organized the event, decided to cancel this Walk. Health and safety always comes first, especially for those living with pulmonary fibrosis and their caregivers.
Helene’s friends decided to “walk in our hearts” on September 6, as they remember Helene John together.
CPFF is grateful to all those who still made a donation to the cause. Your generosity will directly help people living with PF. Thank you for your understanding and for putting community well-being above all else.
Clarke Walk for PF, Calgary. September 13. Fish Creek Provincial Park.
What an incredible day it was at the CPFF Calgary Clarke Walk for Pulmonary Fibrosis. The sun shone brightly, mirroring the continued success of this walk, a journey that began over a decade ago with an eight-year-old girl determined to make a difference.
Today, that same young advocate Abbie Clarke, is beginning her first year at the University of Saskatchewan, and her legacy of compassion and courage continues to ripple through our community.
This year, 133 participants came together and raised over $14,000, an extraordinary achievement that honours everyone in the pulmonary fibrosis community.
Ottawa, Ontario. September 13. Overbrook Park and Rideau Sports Centre.
Two firsts for this community: its first Walk for PF, and CPFF’s first Charity Pickleball tournament! Participants, both walkers and pickleball players, totaled 187, and raised $23,623.
The beautiful day had families enjoying children’s activities, including mini putt golf; the pickleball tournament, as well as the walk and a BBQ. It was everything the organizers had hoped for: an uplifting and fun time, fostering a real sense of community.
Markham Robert Davidson Walk for PF. September 20. Too Good Pond Park.
The 4th Annual Robert Davidson Walk for PF saw more than 70 people walking the beautiful paths of Toogood Pond Park under bright blue skies and raising more than $20,000.
It takes a village to run a successful event and Markham residents stepped up with 19 generous volunteers, including youth from Markham high schools, helping with set up, guiding people around the pond and cheering on walkers.
The day ended at Unionville Arms, Pub & Grill (Robert’s favourite local pub) where the group gathered to have lunch together and was served by great staff!
Montreal. September 27. Angrignon Park.
On this sunny Saturday, 87 people took part in a CPFF Walk for PF and raised $14,453. Families enjoyed the fun and upbeat atmosphere and an amazing lunch offered from the Beetlejuice Food Truck, which is owned by Simulated Sports.
The Khan family was proud to host the CPFF Montreal Walk for the third year in a row, in loving memory of their father, Jawaid Khan, who passed away from pulmonary fibrosis.
“It’s a struggle, to watch someone experience this devastating disease,” says one of his four daughters, Wendy Khan. “We want to honour our father, as well as all of those who have passed away, or are currently living with the disease, and their families with this event.”
Charlottetown. October 4. Victoria Park, Kiwanis Field.
The Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, the Robinson family, and fellow Islanders were proud to host the first CPFF Walk for Pulmonary Fibrosis on the beautiful shores of PEI.
This particular event honours the memory of John Robinson, who passed away in November 2023, five years after receiving a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). John’s father and an uncle also succumbed to the disease.
There were 125 participants, who raised $27,732.90. Children enjoyed face painting and other activities during this upbeat event, where participants and the community really rallied behind the cause.
The Robinson family walked to honour their family members and to offer support and hope to everyone living with PF. It was a wonderful way to complete the CPFF 2025 series of Community Walks.
Events
Happening Soon
Oct
21
3 PM to 4 PM EDT
National Patient Support Group
Oct
27
7 PM to 8 PM EDT
Caregivers Support Group
Nov
3
7 PM to 8 PM EDT
Groupe de soutien en francais
Nov
4
3 PM to 4 PM EDT
National Patient Support Group
Nov
4
11 AM to 2 PM MDT
National Patient Support Group
Attention Newfoundland and Labrador voters!
As you are aware, a provincial election is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, to elect members of the House of Assembly.
This election provides an opportunity for the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) and its supporters in Newfoundland and Labrador to communicate to all parties and candidates our key messages and recommendations for good public policy as is relates to pulmonary fibrosis (PF) as a rare disease and the need for equitable access to oxygen therapy.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada without a formal, home oxygen program. As a result, people who depend on oxygen therapy are forced to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket every month. This lack of coverage creates profound inequities, leaving many residents unable to afford the care they need — and putting their health and quality of life at risk.
CPFF has developed an election toolkit to provide you with a simple and practical way to communicate CPFF’s key messages by printing off the handy one-page key message documents on Pages 4-5, and sharing them with candidates in your riding and at local events like debates and town hall meetings. You may also want to keep the one-pagers handy near your front door to share with any candidates canvassing in your neighbourhood. It’s an easy way to raise PF’s profile among election candidates and political parties!
This election is a chance to make sure no one in Newfoundland and Labrador is left gasping for air simply because they cannot afford the treatment they need. Together, we can push for equitable care and a universal home oxygen program that saves lives and strengthens our health system.
Patient and Caregiver Stories
A passion for walking keeps Angie moving forward
“I truly hope I stay healthy enough to complete the Bruce Trail with my daughter,” says 73-year-old Angie Finkel of Toronto. Diagnosed with ILD in 2018, during the past several years, she has been able to walk half of the Bruce Trails’ 900 km route, which stretches from Queenston Heights in Niagara to Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula. (Not all at once, but in 10-12 km outings.)
Early symptoms
Like many others, Angie’s first symptom of pulmonary fibrosis was increased difficulty breathing. Before her diagnosis, she remembers the difficulty she had on a hiking holiday in Ireland. “One of our hikes involved a lot of stairs leading to a viewpoint over a lake. I had to drop out, I was so out of breath. The hike leader told me that being so out of breath was not normal. At the time I was angry about her comment and that she would not wait for me. Looking back now, I see it was a warning that things were not right.”
Angie was also concerned because family members on both sides of her family had a history of pulmonary fibrosis, including a cousin who had a lung transplant due to IPF and asbestosis and her father who had IPF. She followed up with her GP, who referred her to a cardiologist, because she also experienced chest pain with her shortness of breath. When her heart proved healthy, the cardiologist referred her on to a respirologist.
Diagnosis
She had a CT scan and the report indicated she had interstitial lung disease (ILD). She asked the respirologist if ILD, a term she was not familiar with, was related to IPF. He said she didn’t have anything to worry about and that she would not want to take either of the two available medications because of the side effects.
The Clarke family’s PF story
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has played a devastating role in the lives of the Clarke family. Many members of the family have been diagnosed with PF, several of whom have unfortunately passed away from the disease.
In this video Jackie Clarke shares her family’s PF journey. You’ll meet 13-year-old Rayyan Aldosary, who was diagnosed with PF when he was only 8 months old, and Abbie Clarke who pioneered the annual Clarke Walk for PF in Calgary, Alberta.
In 2015, 8-year-old Abbie Clarke held the first annual Clarke Walk for PF in Calgary to build public awareness, and raise funds for pulmonary fibrosis research. This first event was small, but over the next 10 years, the scale of the walk grew significantly. This is the Clarke Family’s courageous PF journey.
Finding hope and healing as a PF caregiver
Sandi Bjorgum was overcome with grief and shock when her father was first diagnosed with PF. He had always taken care of her, but now it was her turn to take on the role of caregiver. Sandi shares her heartfelt story of fear, courage, acceptance, and hope as she supports her dad in his new normal.
“What has living with IPF been like? … As a caregiver, we are so closely tied to this disease, to the pains, to the struggles, to the grief, to the difficulties, to the medical appointments, to the follow-ups, the questions and decisions”, says Sandi.
In this video, Sandi talks about living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) from the perspective of a caregiver. She shares the things she has learned about what it means to be a caregiver and the different stages and aspects of caregiving.
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