A 12-year-old girl who loves hockey is the inspiration behind a fundraising barbecue and walk this weekend for Emily Wisden.Wisden, owner of Play It Again Music Recycle, is hosting a charity barbecue Saturday afternoon to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.The barbecue, which features buns donated by Denman Bakery and Pizzeria, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. in front of Wisden’s store at Unit 106, 2270 Cliffe Ave. beside Gotit-Needit-Wantit and behind Beachwood Café.”Everybody is welcome, and hopefully they get a chance to come by to support this cause,” said Wisden.This cause is very near to Wisden.”One of my really good friend’s daughter, Amethyst, has cystic fibrosis,” said Wisden. “To see Amethyst, who is one of the most vibrant young women I’ve ever met — she loves hockey and plays all kinds of sports … she’s my total inspiration for this.”Cystic fibrosis (CF), a multi-organ disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system, is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults, according to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.There is no cure for cystic fibrosis.When Amethyst was born, the average expected life span for a person in Canada with CF was about 20, noted Wisden.In 1960, most children did not live long enough to attend kindergarden, but today, as a result of improvements in antibiotics, nutrition and physical therapy, half of all Canadians with CF are expected to live into their 40s and beyond, she explained.Wisden is holding her charity barbecue the day before the Great Strides — Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis walk in Campbell River.Wisden will do the Great Strides walk in Campbell River with Amethyst and her family as a member of the Amethyst’s Gemstones team.Great Strides — Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis is Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s largest national fundraising event.All proceeds of the event go to Cystic Fibrosis Canada to fund clinics across the country and research for a cure or effective control for CF.writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record