明日之光First Step團隊參與Great Strides募捐活動

2020年11月，美中下一代基金會明日之光公益獎平台正式成立並得到華人社區的積極響應。平台的職責之一是傳播各個團隊的事迹和經驗，共大家學習，交流和參考。這篇文章是First Step 團隊的景若瑤(Claire Jing)同學寫的，關於她的團隊First Step為囊腫性纖維化肺病（CF）通過走路5K募捐的體驗。希望她的經歷可以給想服務社區的孩子和家長一些啟發。同時也希望其他團隊的隊員們踴躍將自己的經歷寫下來，互相交流，互相促進。

First Step: Great Strides | Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Claire Jing 景若瑤 (Rising 10th Grader at Northview High School)

2022年5月21日，First Step組織參加了在Suwanee鎮中心舉行的亞特蘭大2022年Great Strides Walk。First Step的創始人Annie Lin和她的家人與多年的老朋友Lin Butler（她的兒子很不幸的患有這種疾病）帶領著亞特蘭大歷史最悠久的CFF 5K團隊」Colin』s Commandos」，很榮幸地帶頭開走了5K步行活動。First Step團隊共有19位成員和14位家長完成了此次活動，活動至今已經籌集了450美元（金額還在增加中）。每個參與成員步行5K，沿途還有很多志願者發冰鎮水並為參與者鼓勵和加油。

On May 21, 2022, the First Step organization participated in Atlanta』s Great Strides Walk of 2022, held at Suwanee Town Center. First Step』s founder, Annie Lin, and her family』s longtime friend, Lin Butler (Her son was unfortunately diagnosed with CF), led the team with the lengthiest history and had the honor of leading the walk. Nineteen First Step members and 14 guardians took part in the event, raising $450 (and counting). Each person walked 5K, with water and cheering teams coordinated along the walk.

囊腫性纖維化病基金最宏大的籌款活動就是年度的Great Strides Walk（五公里走路募捐）。每年大約有十二萬五千人參加全國各地總共大概三百個活動，以支持治療囊性纖維化疾病，並提高對這種會導致呼吸困難的罕見的遺傳性縮短壽命疾病的認知。囊腫性纖維化病基金的願望是治癒囊性纖維化，讓患者的生活可以完全擺脫這個疾病的痛苦。First Step 團隊也希望通過這次Great Strides Walk 募捐的活動，可以進一步推進這個美好的願望。

The Great Strides Walk is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation』s largest fundraising event. Each year, around 125,000 people participate in ~300 walks across the country in support of curing cystic fibrosis and raising awareness about this rare, life-shortening disease (which makes it tough to breathe). The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation』s vision is a cure for cystic fibrosis, leading to a life free from the tribulations of this disease. We can further this vision through this event; Great Strides is a possibility to make a difference in the lives of people with CF.

關於囊性纖維化的最有名的故事之一是「65 Roses」的故事。 1965 年，年僅4歲的Ricky Weiss（被診斷患有CF）聽到他的母親打電話為囊性纖維化研究籌款。 聽了幾個電話後，他走進房間告訴媽媽，他知道她在為「65 Roses」工作（在英文中，cystic fibrosis和65 Roses聽著很相似，所以很容易被小孩子混淆）。 今天，這已被兒童用來描述他們的疾病。自1965年以來，不同年齡段的兒童都會用「65朵玫瑰」來描述他們的疾病。

One of the most remarkable stories regarding cystic fibrosis is the 「65 Roses」 story. In 1965, a young 4-year-old Ricky Weiss (diagnosed with CF) heard his mother make phone calls to fundraise for cystic fibrosis research. After several phone calls, he came into the room and told his mom that he knew she was working for 「65 Roses.」 Since 1965, the term “65 Roses” has been used by children to describe their disease.

在活動期間，First Step成員每人都獲得了一件團隊T恤，每個人還戴著團隊特製的紅色帽子。 除此之外，此活動的組織和贊助商為參加者免費提供了午餐（來自 Jim & Nick’s BBQ；他們多年來一直贊助該活動）、冰淇淋、冰棍、甜甜圈、爆米花和棉花糖。 參與的小朋友還可以拿到氣球動物作為獎勵。 沿途有志願者為參與者加油助威，其中最引人注目的是一位騎獨輪車的人，一直在來來回回地歡呼和鼓勵大家。 像這樣的細節使活動更加愉快，也讓那些完成步行的人振奮起來和不會感到疲憊。

During this event, First Step members were each given a team T-shirt and a red hat specially designed for the First Step team. Other than this, the organization and sponsors of the event provided attendees with free lunch (from Jim & Nick』s BBQ; they have sponsored this event for numerous years), ice cream, popsicles, donuts, popcorn, and cotton candy. Participating children were also rewarded with animal balloons. Along the walk, many groups of volunteers were stationed to cheer on the partakers, one of the most notable being a person whooping while riding a unicycle. Little details like these made the event more entertaining and less tiring, uplifting those who finished the walk.

First Step（和其他組織的團員）的成員都表示，他們既在參加一個有意義的活動，但同時也在享受著他們所參與的事件。因此，First Step團隊同學們表示他們明年還會繼續參加這個活動，希望會一直給CF患者的心中點燃與增添几絲希望。通過我們的努力，我們希望可以幫助跟「65 Roses」鬥爭的人，我們也祝願每個患者都可以打贏這場鬥爭，儘早恢復健康。

First Step members (and other participants) are partaking in a meaningful activity, but at the same time, they are enjoying what it is that they are doing. First Step members expressed that they will participate in this activity next year to ignite and add hope to the hearts of people with CF. With our efforts, we can aid those in their battle with 「65 Roses,」 a struggle that we hope each individual will win.