Walk to benefit cystic fibrosis research

NASHUA — The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual walkathon fund-raiser, “Great Strides,” will be held Saturday at hundreds of venues throughout the United States, including Nashua, beginning at 9 a.m.

In addition, for the first time, May has been proclaimed Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month because of the recent passing of a U.S. Senate resolution.

The event, a 10-kilometer walk held in more than 500 U.S. cities, is the foundation’s largest single-day fund-raiser. Last year, more than $19 million was raised for CF research.

The Nashua walk starts at Greeley Park on Concord Street, where music, food, an appearance by children’s entertainer Steve Blunt and a visit by a Nashua Pride mascot will also be featured during the day.

Other walks within the region will be held at Livingston Park in Manchester, Bicentennial Square in Concord, and at the Town Green in Plaistow.

Nashua resident Jonathan Dailey, who has CF and has been involved in the local walks for years, is co-chairman this year.

For more information about CF and the walkathon, visit the foundation’s Web site at www.cff.org, or call the Northern New England chapter at 1-800-757-0203.