The University of Missouri-Rolla SCRUBS, a group of students from UMR’s pre-professional health care majors, are planning a five-kilometer run/walk to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research.

The Great Strides 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, April 14, beginning at the Ber Juan Park pavilion on 14th Street in Rolla. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. The public is invited to participate.

There is no fee to enter the race, but walkers and runners are asked to collect sponsors. Sponsor forms are available in the biological sciences department in Room 105 Schrenk Hall on the UMR campus, and will also be available at registration on the day of the race.

“Our goal is to raise at least $1,500 to help stop cystic fibrosis,” says Dr. David Westenberg, associate professor of biological sciences at UMR and faculty advisor for SCRUBS. “To reach that goal, we would like each participant to collect $100 in sponsors. But the most important goal is to get as many participants as possible to help raise awareness about cystic fibrosis.” Prizes will be awarded to participants who raise $100 or more.

SCRUBS will have an informational table at the Havener Center beginning Monday, April 9. They will have a display explaining cystic fibrosis and they will be selling “shoes” for $1.

All proceeds from the walk will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The foundation raises funds for research into the life-threatening genetic disease which affects the lungs and digestive system.

For more information or to request a sponsor form, contact Westenberg at djwesten.mst.edu or 573-341-4831, or UMR SCRUBS representative Audrey Oakley at aeptg9.mst.edu.