A risk of thunderstorms didn’t develop Tuesday, but the community showered its support on three area families and the search for a cure to cystic fibrosis.
Laps 4 Landon was a success again after moving the core activities from Emporia State’s Welch Stadium to the Student Recreation Center. The event’s namesake, 15-year-old Landon Dody, is originally from Emporia but now lives in Council Grove. He appreciated the turnout and he says he’s discovered he needs to stay active.
Six-year-old Aiden Dreier of Olpe was also on hand, along with his parents, Amanda and Alex. Amanda Dreier was pleasantly shocked by the turnout, both on campus and at the meal provided by Lazy Butt BBQ at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church.
Also on hand was the most recent area CF patient, 5-month-old Ren DuBree of Americus. Ren’s mother, Cheyenne DuBree, says Ren is also dealing with seasonal allergies and had COVID-19 shortly after birth. Ren has to eat every three hours — and she already has a long treatment regimen.
Unlike Aiden Dreier, who has no family history of CF, both Cheyenne and her husband, Hershel, are carriers.
CF is a genetic disorder that creates extremely thick mucus which can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas of those afflicted.
ESU Health and Human Performance Professor Jennifer Thomas says the event raised over $10,000 through a walk, games, face painting for kids, prize drawings, silent auction and dinner from Lazy Butt BBQ. Over 400 people crammed inside the Student Rec Center for the event.
