Prairie Winds Monument of Saskatoon lit up in red and blue to recognize Global Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month Photo Credit: CPFF website

The Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is helping patients with PF feel less alone through the Saskatoon “Hope Breathes Here” Walk for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Pulmonary Fibrosis is an incurable lung disease that progressively scars and stiffens the lungs, making it hard to breathe and limiting oxygen flow to vital organs.

Research shows that PF can be caused by a variety of things, including the inhalation of embers from wildfires, asbestos, and other illnesses such as COVID. Recent research also shows that the disease can run in families where it’s already present.

Sharon Lee, Chief Executive Officer of  the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF), said qualifying for oxygen is different in every province, making it difficult for some with PF to get what they need.

“It’s been over a decade since there’s been any new drugs out on the market in Canada. There were two new drugs that were released and fully covered in 2014.”

Lee added that there is a potential new drug therapy currently in development.

The walk will begin at 10am Saturday and end at about 1:30pm. The walk will be inside the Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre and have slow and fast walker lanes.

Information and resources for anyone with PF, thinks they have PF, or cares for anyone with PF can be found on the Pulmonary Association’s website.

The organization also asks the public to sign its petition to create more equitable access to medical oxygen across Canada.