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over $100,000 raised to-date

Walk to Breathe organizer hits roadblock, but needs Albertans’ help

Jul 28, 2022 | 10:21 AM

An Edmonton man, who you could usually find walking along the highway right about now, has had to call off his annual Walk to Breathe.

For two years, Chris Sadleir has made the trek through central Alberta in the heat of the summer to raise funds and awareness for lung disease and the organization Alberta Lung. In year one, he went from Calgary to Edmonton, then last year began the walk in Lethbridge instead.

Sadleir has raised $100,000, walking 840 km.

Now, Sadleir is on the mend, dealing with a concerning case of arthritis and gout, something he’s lived with for 20 years.

He’s now calling for all Albertans to keep his walk alive, by walking virtually for him from Sept. 1-10.

“I’m usually a few days into the walk by now, so it’s disappointing. I pushed the start as late as I could into summer, awaiting results from X-rays and CT scans. Unfortunately, there is some genuine concern and need for attention,” he laments.

“Respiratory ailments and lung diseases come in so many forms – my family has been directly impacted by Pulmonary Fibrosis and my father, Rob — a five-year lung transplant survivor — is the reason I started Walk to Breathe.”

According to Sadleir, funds raised will continue to support many crucial and necessary programs, in particular the need to build Canada’s first lung health and transplant home called Breathing Space. Alberta Lung receives little to no funding outside of donations from Albertans, thus events like this are very much a requirement to allow them to continue providing the support and service to Albertans like his father Rob.

More info is on the walk’s Facebook page.