A Parade of Hope: Cleveland Clinic Walk Energizes Patients and Providers

Healthcare providers within the PF community are among the hundreds of event leaders who take action and host events in their hometowns annually . Cleveland Clinic is just one example of the many dedicated nurses, practitioners, and researchers who are actively raising funds and awareness within their communities .

Dozens of community walks for the PFF take place nationwide every year. In fact, these events have raised funds to support the Foundation’s mission to serve as the trusted resource for all those impacted by pulmonary fibrosis.

Jessica Glennie, a nurse practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic—a PFF Care Center Network site—launched a community walk in 2019 that has raised over $9,000 in just two years. Physicians, nurses, patients and their families, friends, and pets walked together in their local neighborhood in 2019 and pivoted to a hybrid event in 2020. Glennie, who is also a support group leader, developed two opportunities that were both safe and fun. Participants were invited to walk together — while masked and socially distanced — or take steps in their own neighborhoods. Their creativity and commitment is an important reminder that together, we can make a difference even when we’re physically apart.

“This has been such an exciting event, allowing us to bring together members of our interstitial lung disease center, people living with PF, and the community to raise awareness and funding for this under-recognized disease,” said Glennie.

The PFF provides tools and resources to help CCN sites and PF community members interested in building a community walk. Email templates, how-to-videos, recruitment strategies, and more are at your fingertips at pffwalk.org .

Are you interested in starting a local walk or fundraiser in your area? For more information, please contact Jackie Williams at jwilliams@pulmonaryfibrosis.org .