Coming Together to Combat Cystic Fibrosis

When a child is diagnosed with an incurable disease, it is heartbreaking. However, when two of those children are yours, it changes your entire life. Just over one year ago, Jeanne and Greg Courtright, of Caldwell, learned that their infant son, Mitchell, had Cystic Fibrosis (CF). As a result, the couple tested each of their four children, learning that although their daughters escaped the disease, both boys, Mitchell and Matthew, did not, and would require special treatments for the rest of their lives. The family’s positive attitude and approach have led to the respect and support of an entire community.

To help find a cure for the disease that has so intimately affected them, the family is walking in the annual CF Walk at Village Green, in Summit. Registration for the walk, scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, will begin at 5:30 p.m. The walk starts at 6 p.m., rain or shine. 

“Last year, we raised almost $7,000, and we had 30 people walk as Team Courtright,” said Jeanne Courtright. “We had such a great time. After the walk, we all ate dinner together and enjoyed watching the kids play and just enjoyed each other’s company, while supporting such a great cause.” 

The team is hoping to raise $10,000 this year and to double the number of walkers. Interested in helping? There are several ways to help, including donating money through the team website, or joining the team to walk and raise money with them. Individuals who raise $100 or more receive a T-shirt, showing their support for Team Courtright and the research to find a cure for CF.

“We know that everyone has a special cause close to their hearts,” said Courtright.  “CF is ours. CF is a cause we supported before our children were diagnosed with it. Now, it is a cause we support because we live with it every day.”

Alzheimer’s Awareness

Approximately 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. But for every one person with the disease, there are many more hoping for a cure. Co-directed by Roseland residents Carolyn Mastrangelo and Barbara Geiger, Running 4 Answers is helping those who care to do more than hope. Through its annual four-mile race, Running 4 Answers raises funds for the Cure for Alzheimer’s Fund, an organization that has funded nearly $16 million in research in 14 different institutions across the country, and found more than 70 genes linked to the disease.

Like so many others, Mastrangelo didn’t choose to become involved with Alzheimer's. Mastrangelo’s mother has suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s for more than 10 years. A personal trainer and avid runner, Mastrangelo wanted to take her love of running and apply it to raising funds and awareness of this devastating disease. To do this, she joined forces with friend and fellow runner, Geiger, to create the “Running 4 Answers” four-mile run in 2010.

Taking place on the tree-lined streets of historic Roseland and Essex Fells, the Running 4 Answers course is USA Track and Field (USATF)-NJ sanctioned and certified, and is part of the GRAND PRIX series. The run is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, with registration at 7:30 a.m. and race time at 9:30 a.m. Not sure if you are ready to tackle the four-mile course? There is a two-mile, self-timed Fun Run/Fitness Walk. Registration for the Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m.

To help their fundraising efforts, runners can set up a personalized fundraising page through www.activegiving.com. Event sponsors include Presenting Sponsor Tri- Coastal Design and Cupcakes and Cuties. Interested in sponsoring the event? Contact info@running4answers.com. A 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization, all donations to Running 4 Answers are tax deductible. To register for the race, donate online, or for more information, visit the website.