Cromwell Man And Dog Walking 340 Miles To Raise Cystic Fibrosis Awareness
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
CROMWELL - A dog is often called a man's best friend.
However, it is James Starnes' best friend Rodney Summers' son who Starnes is honoring by walking with his dog to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis.
Starnes, 44, Cromwell, and his 1-1/2-year-old Beagleman dog Barlow will walk 340 miles over a two-week period to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis.
Rodney Summers' son Logan, 10, Evansville, has Cystic Fibrosis.
Starnes said a person does not often live beyond 40 years old with the disease.
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. It also obstructs the pancreas and stops food enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
"No parent should have to outlive their child," Starnes said.
Starnes said he loves camping, his dog and walking, so walking to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis seemed like the appropriate thing to do.
Starnes works third shift at Goshen Hospital on the maintenance staff and said he will use his vacation to walk.
Starnes will keep a Facebook page update of his travels.
Starnes decided a year ago he would make the journey. He has been training with his dog since.
Starnes and his dog have been walking two to four miles a day since June to train for the walk. Starnes has been putting Tender Foot on his dog's paws to strengthen them.The journey begins Sept. 19 and ends Oct. 2. Starnes' wife, Diane, will drop him and the dog off in White Pigeon, Mich. Starnes and his dog will walk 24 miles a day until they reach Owensboro, Ky.
Once Starnes and his dog reach Kentucky, Starnes' wife will pick him and the dog up and drive them back to Indiana.
Starnes will carry a 30-pound backpack with a sleeping bag, rain gear, shoes, clothes and food for him and his dog.
A couple of weeks ago, James and Diane drove the route they will take. They talked to residents in Michigan and Kentucky who will provide land for Starnes and his dog to camp on.
When Starnes and his dog walk across the Blue Bridge in Kentucky they will have a police escort for safety reasons.
"It will definitely be challenging, but I am up for it. I just hope the dog and I don't bite off more than we can chew," Starnes said.
People interested in donating funds for Cystic Fibrosis research can donate funds to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1261 W. 86th St., Suite E-2, Indianapolis, IN 46260.
