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Lemonade and airplanes to help support fight against cystic fibrosis

The second annual SOAR for Cystic Fibrosis is May 25 and features Weyburn artist Tenille Arts, plus Brent Hardy Aerobatics

Suffering from cystic fibrosis can feel like breathing through a straw, something Cassidy Evans understands too well, so she is continuing to raise awareness about the disease by hosting several upcoming fundraisers.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. Some symptoms include thick, stick mucus build-up in the lungs and complications in digesting fats and proteins. Although people are living longer with the disease, life expectancy is significantly lower than the average Canadian. There is no cure for the disease.

“On a bad day with CF, I usually feel like I don’t want to do much because my stomach’s hurting, I can’t breath sometimes very well, and I just want to lay in my bed and cry,” said Cassidy in a promotional video on her website, Cassidy’s Lemonade Stand. 

The first event is the second annual K+S Potash Canada SOAR for Cystic Fibrosis, which takes place on Saturday, May 25 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw municipal airport. This event is being described as a “whimsical evening of celebration” and features cocktails, appetizers, dancing, performances by Weyburn’s Tenille Arts, and Brent Hardy Aerobatics. 

The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. and runs until 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 each or $1,350 for a corporate table of 10. Drink packages with 20 tickets are $100.

The other activity Evans, 11, is hosting is the well-known Cassidy’s Lemonade Stand. Now in its sixth year, the lemonade stand — contained in an old ice cream truck — is taking place on Friday, June 21 at Palliser Heights School from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a stop at River Heights School in Saskatoon on Tuesday, June 25 from 1 to 6 p.m.

The cost for a glass of lemonade is $2, which Cassidy says is delicious and is her family’s special recipe, “made with love.” 

All proceeds from every event are going toward cystic fibrosis advocacy and research to help find a cure. The lemonade stand has raised more than $40,000 since it began squeezing lemons six years ago. 

“SOAR for Cystic Fibrosis is a very unique event,” said Cassidy’s mother, Kimberly, in a promotional video on the lemonade stand website. “It is a whimsical evening of airplanes and raising funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis.”

The family was shaken to its core when Cassidy was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in October 2012, said Mrs. Evans. The family didn’t know what to expect or what the future would hold for the young girl. They also didn’t know what Cassidy’s life would look like in the future, even as the family began exploring the world of this disease. 

“Nobody wants to watch their child suffer,” she added.

The SOAR evening is designed to encourage participants to live life to the fullest. Organizers want people to take the circumstances in their life and see that they can be better and do better. Mrs. Evans pointed out they also want participants to be inspired in attending the event while realizing light can come from dark times. 

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit https://cassidyslemonadestand.com.

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