An annual event raising awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis awareness is coming up soon.
Laps 4 Landon will be held Tuesday, April 19, starting at 6 p.m. at Emporia State University. Now in its 15th year, the event is planned, organized and run by Emporia State students majoring in health and human performance.
“Anyone who comes is invited to walk laps on the track as they listen to fantastic music, place bids at our silent auction and purchase tickets at our prize tables,” said Dr. Jennifer Thomas, director of the health and human performance program. “After the last two years of this event either not happening or having to adapt due to COVID-19, we plan to hold our event as close to ‘normal’ as possible, if the weather cooperates.”
Named for area youth 15-year-old Landon Dody, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby, Laps 4 Landon raises awareness for him and others in the community who struggle daily with the disease. The genetic disorder affects mostly lungs, but can impact other organs as well. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and frequent lung infections.
Outdoor games for children, including a bouncy house and plinko board among many other activities, will be available. Events will be coordinated by numerous Emporia State athletes. The ESU cheer team will offer face painting.
The silent auction will work differently than in years past. While items will be set up at in the HPER building on the north end of ESU’s campus, all bids need to be placed online through the Facebook page, “Laps 4 Landon 2022.” Visitors to that page who like and follow it will be able to receive updates and get sneak peaks at auction items.
“We truly hope this event allows for as many people to participate as possible,” Thomas said. “We want everyone to be able to feel comfortable and to have fun.”
Before the walk on campus, but related to the event, the Lazy Butt BBQ Crew will be set up in the parking lot of Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church, 2023 W. 12th Ave, from 5:30 until 7:30 pm to serve individual dinners for at-will donations of any amount. Funds raised from the dinner are in honor of 6-year-old Emporia resident, Aiden Drier, who was diagnosed at birth with CF. Aiden is the grandson of Karl Baker who runs the Lazy Butt BBQ food truck.
People can bring their dinners to the HPER building to eat before or during the walk and auction.
“On behalf of the ESU Health & Human Performance students (past and present) and all those battling CF, we thank everyone for their support,” Thomas said. “We hope to see as many people as possible. Thanks to everyone’s involvement, we have Continued Faith that we will make CF stand for Cure Found!”
Throughout the length of this event, proceeds have ranged from $5,000 to $9,000 annually. More information about cystic fibrosis can be found at www.cff.org.