Grover Cleveland Middle School Students Walk to Raise Funds for Cystic Fibrosis

Caldwell, NJ – June 2, 2014 – Students from Grover Cleveland Middle School (GCMS) put on their walking shoes on Monday, May 19, to prove that they are “walking the walk” when it comes to doing good for their community and beyond. Participating in Laps for Life, nearly 300 students and staff walked together to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis research.

The idea of sixth-grader Mackenzie Courtright, students could support the cause by walking in the event or purchasing a “pin-up.” Students made a donation to walk in the “Laps for Life” event held at the school or purchased “pin-ups” at the school or via the school website.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of children and young adults in the United States. When the CF Foundation was started in 1955, a child with CF was not expected to live to attend elementary school. Today, dramatic advances in CF research and treatment have extended the median age of survival for people with CF to almost 37 years.

Courtright has two younger brothers afflicted with the disease and wanted to do something to make a difference. Listening to principal James Brown’s suggestion on leaving “your mark on the school and community” motivated Courtright to ask her parents and the school if she could organize the event.

“I want the students to see that they can make a difference,” said Brown. “Both the students that suggest and organize the events, and those that participate. Every student can leave their mark on the school and beyond.”

Stephanie Karlo of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation attended the event, along with the entire Courtright family, and joined the students on their walk. Courtright presented Karlo with a check for $1500, representing the money raised by the students through the walk and “pin-up” sales.

“Mackenzie wanted to do something for her brothers,” said mother Jeanne Courtright. “Educating students and parents on the disease and showing everyone how even a sixth grader can make a difference was one of the most important things she could do.”

For more information on Cystic Fibrosis, visit http://www.cff.org/. For more information on Grover Cleveland Middle School, visit www.cwcboe.org/gcms.