Walter J Van Praag

SUPPORT CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND ORGAN DONATION!

Between 14 September and 26 October 2013 we are hiking 800kms across Spain to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and the importance of Organ Donations. So far the team consists of 6 people and growing. Every few years I organise an inspiring event to raise awareness and provide inspiration to people with disabilities, as well as raise money for the Australian CF Association. To raise awareness we seek publicity and often get good international coverage. These ventures have resulted in CNN and News Asia network interviews as well as an Order of Australia Medal for me. Our sponsors of course also get mentions.wherever we get the chance.

Sponsorships obtained is used to print postcards and T-shirts which we use for promotion. As you understand promotion is what awareness is all about. Every CF clinic in Australia and many in the world know what I do and watch my every move. This leads to media. En-route we will hand out postcards and business cards promoting our message. Sponsorships help pay for a support vehicle (taxis at times) to help carry medication (like about 1500 pills!) and promotional materials.

Hiking along the El Camino de Santiago de Compostella is a popular route, a pilgrimage that attracts over a million backpackers from all over the world each year. In September it is expected that there will be 20,000 people on the trail. Our hike will distribute postcards to many people from all over the world. The postcard will feature the Pilgrimage Map and our message on it (plus major sponsors!), with enough space for people to write a message to their friends and relatives in their respective home countries. This postcard we will liberally hand out to all people we speak to, all people that comment on my cough. 

People with CF have extremely high nutritional requirements, which combined with my diabetes (CF related) may require me to occasionally eat much better than the average pilgrim normally would.  Sponsorship is also used to help subsidise hotel stays for the team, especially since these hotels and meals are required for me to regain my health. Eating in the same restaurants and sleeping in the same places is paramount to keep a good team spirit, even though the self financed team members may not need to splurge on these luxuries - hence I like to find sponsorship to help subsidise  these team expenses. 

With under 40% lung function even the slightest cold can cause me to require hospitalisation. I am advised against staying in large crowds wrt to catching bugs and viruses for which I am highly susceptible, ruling out many albergues (pilgrimage accommodation) along the way. 

During the hike we will also be collecting money for CF Australia, and we expect to collect $10k for them. We will give ample mention whenever sponsor money is used. All unused money will of course be donated to CF Australia.