Students from St. Clair College's Respiratory Therapy program recently laced up their sneakers and joined the fight against cystic fibrosis at the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides Walk.
Held at the Vollmer Center in late May, the event brought together families, supporters, and healthcare professionals from across the community with one shared goal: to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Students in the Respiratory Therapy program take part in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides Walk on May 25, 2025. (Stephanie De Franceschi/St. Clair College)
Decked out in program t-shirts and fueled by passion for their future profession, the respiratory therapy students formed a team named "Breath of Hope" and raised more than $400, making a strong impression as both compassionate healthcare students and active community members.
This year, 3,500 people participated in the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History, raising $2.3 million, and counting.
"The Walk to End Cystic Fibrosis is a great event gathering individuals all over to join in and raise awareness & understanding about Cystic Fibrosis. With the donations raised, we can aid in research, and help to cover the cost of supplies, and nasal cell testing," said Kelly, a St. Clair College Respiratory Therapy student. "Cystic Fibrosis affects over 4,513 people in Canada, so it was a great opportunity and life-changing event to take part in."
School of Health Sciences Chair, Dr. Stephanie De Franceschi, praised the students for their dedication and spirit.
"Our students showed up - not just as future therapists, but as advocates and allies," Dr. De Franceschi said. "It was a proud moment to see them representing the program and making a tangible difference."
The event highlighted the critical role respiratory therapists play in the lives of individuals with cystic fibrosis and underscored the importance of continued research, support, and education. With every step, these future healthcare heroes demonstrated that their commitment to patient care extends far beyond the classroom and clinical setting.
