Lucy Morrison, at left, is shown with her cousins, young CF supporters, at the I Love Lucy 2011 Dodge Ball Tournament. Click to enlarge.
James and Tracy Morrison of Ringgold are on a mission to make sure their baby daughter Lucy – who has Cystic Fibrosis – can lead a longer and healthier life. Number one in their arsenal against the disease this year: the old school game of – dodge ball. For grown-ups.
“We chose a dodge ball tournament because of its novelty and appeal to our generation,” says James. “It's a game people either fear or love – but just about anyone can play.”
And play they did. More than 100 people attended the 2011 I Love Lucy Dodge Ball Tournament at Oakwood Baptist Church in Chickamauga, Ga., this month. The event raised $3,000 – roughly the first third that the Morrisons are committed to raise for the cause this year.
“Last year my wife and I set a goal of raising $5,000 for the foundation. Since it was our first year campaigning for the cause, we weren't quite sure what to expect,” James notes. “But after all was said and done, our friends, family, and local businesses donated close to $9,000.”
“This year’s Dodge Ball Tournament was a warm-up event for the Great Strides walk, which will be on April 10,” James explains. “We support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because of their support for us. We've experienced the benefit of their research first-hand. And through their local representatives we stay informed of the latest research and discoveries. It's exciting to see the possibilities just on the horizon. We hope and pray that a solution will soon be found.”
Lucy, now 20 months old, has been taking enzyme replacements since she was 3 weeks old.
It’s important in her fight against the disease, which attacks both the digestive and respiratory systems. Until just a few years ago, many CF patients did not live past their teen years. But medical research, funded by grass roots efforts like the Great Strides Walk, is helping to extend the life expectancy for many CF patients.
“We are so thankful to have such a supportive community of Cystic Fibrosis family and friends. The Chattanooga area is a great place to live and we are glad to call it home,” the Morrisons say.
Last year, the Morrisons were among those who helped the Great Strides Walk raised $70,000 toward new and better research for a cure. This year, they invite more Chattanoogans to come out for the cause.
They note that Great Strides is a walk in the park – literally. The walk, 5K run and dog-friendly Mutt Strut are held at Greenway Farms in Hixson, on one of Chattanooga’s most beautiful nature walks. This year’s walk is scheduled for April 10, from 1 to 4 pm. It will be hosted by WDEF meteorologist Amy Katcher and her husband Mike Dunne, who also has family members who battle CF.
To sign up and help Chattanooga’s children with CF, go to www.cff.org/great_strides/JamesAndTracyMorrison.