Team Blakely

I would like to invite you and your four-legged best friend to join us in support of Rochester's Great Strides Fundraising Event on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 at Genesee Valley Park. Please consider registering to support "Team Blakely" and put one paw forward in Great Strides to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

There are approximately 40,000 Americans living with cystic fibrosis and even more than 10 million Americans are unknowing, symptomless carriers of the CF gene. They are moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and friends; including our local community’s very own, three-year-old Blakely Bennett. 

Blakely’s father, John Bennett and mother, Emily Bennett- owner of Paws and Claws Pet Care & Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of WNY board member, graciously ask for your support in helping their 3-year-old daughter, Blakely Patricia Bennett who was diagnosed at birth with Cystic Fibrosis. This rare, fatal disease remains incurable, impairing lung function and significantly reducing life expectancy. The Bennett family relentlessly advocates to raise awareness and funds in hopes to find a cure for this terrible disease. Their efforts include hosting several fundraising events each year, to meeting with members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and most recently, founding their very own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, “Paw it Forward.” 

Blakely has shown admirable strength in her fight against CF, experiencing more doctor's visits, tests, hospitalizations, daily medications, and treatments than any child should have to endure. Advances in new gene-based technologies represent an unprecedented opportunity to lessen the excessive amount of enzyme medication pills that Blakely and people with CF are required to take every time they eat to be able to absorb nutrients. Additionally, with funds raised for research, scientists can make the necessary progress in developing new advancements that would lessen the hours Blakely & CF patients dedicate each day on breathing treatments they require, just to be able to maintain a normal lung function to breathe. 

With your steadfast support, we can accelerate our pursuit in medical advancements that are so desperately needed to improve and extend the quality of life for those living with Cystic Fibrosis, including Blakely. Your selfless contribution gives extraordinary hope to the Bennett family in their fight to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and gives Blakely the chance to live a long and fulfilling life she deserves as no parent should outlive their child. 

Together, let’s make CF stand for Cure Found!

To participate, simply select the "Join our Team" link. From there, you and your canine companion can register to walk with us, or simply make a donation. 

Thank you for supporting Team Blakely!