Great Strides Walk in honor of Burnet sisters fighting cystic fibrosis

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — Members of Mad Dawg Fitness didn’t have to search far for a reason to hold the first Burnet County Great Strides Walk.

All they had to do was look at the faces of sisters Madeline and Savannah Gambrell.

“They are a couple of children in Burnet who have cystic fibrosis,” Mad Dog Fitness owner Greg Lopez said. “Originally, we just wanted to bring awareness and help families.”

The event is March 28 at Haley Nelson Park, located on Garden Trails Drive off Texas 29. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the 5K starting at 8 a.m. The cost to participate in the 5K run is $35. There is no fee for walkers. There also will be food and family fun at the event.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and the digestive system.

Erica Gambrell, Madeline and Savannah’s mother, said her daughters undergo daily breathing treatments for 2-4 hours. The length depends on the month and the medication they are taking, she said. They spend two weeks in a hospital twice a year, usually during the Christmas break and summer, to avoid missing school. During those stays, they have breathing treatments every 3-4 hours around the clock.   

The sisters have had multiple surgeries.

“Oftentimes, it is difficult for them to get out of bed in the mornings because of chronic pain and fatigue,” Erica said. “Our family is very conscientious about being around people who are smoking, dusty environments and other health hazards as it is very easy for the girls to get sick. And when they do get sick, it could mean an extra hospital stay.” 

Madeline also suffers from cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, which is common for individuals her age who are entering adolescence, her mother said.

“Although our daily routine is difficult, the girls still manage to laugh and play like kids their age and manage to pull in A and A-B honor rolls at school,” Erica said.

In planning the event, Lopez contacted the Central Texas Cystic Fibrosis Chapter about four months ago. All the money raised is going toward cystic fibrosis research, he said.

The goal is to raise $25,000. So far, $18,000 has been donated.

“It’s a sad thing to hear they only have a certain amount of years to live,” Lopez said. “It’s a touchy subject, especially since they’re so young.”

Madeline and Savannah will talk to the athletes before the run is conducted. After the run, a walk will follow. Lopez said walkers can simply stroll the course as much as they want.

“A lot of our seniors have pledged to do it,” Lopez said. “They’re doing as much as they can.”

Go to fightcf.cff.org to sign up or for more information.

jfierro@thepicayune.com