35
Thursday, March 21, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
Let’s stroll: Cystic fibrosis walkers lace up for benefit BY MIRANDA WHITWORTH Contributing writer
O
rganizers of the 5K Great Strides Walk hope to breathe life into the fight against cystic fibrosis when participants lace up their sneakers Saturday. Tiffany Kuehl is part of the team that helped revive the Bakersfield Great Strides Walk five years ago. She’s watched the event grow and evolve over the years and hopes this year’s activity will bring in $53,000 in donations to help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “Years ago we had the walk in Bakersfield and different people organized it. But my friend and I started talking to the LA chapter and they thought it would be good to bring the walk back here. So the past five years has really been a jump-start.” The Great Strides walk will feature breakfast, lunch and a raffle with prizes that include gift certificates to everything from local restaurants to car-care businesses. Registration is free, but walkers are asked to make a donation to participate. Kuehl knows first-hand the devastation that cystic fibrosis can cause, having been diagnosed with the
The Great Strides Walk When: Registration 9 a.m.; walk 10 a.m. Saturday Where: Park at Riverwalk, 11200 Stockdale Highway Information: cff.org/greatstrides or 204-3019
genetic disorder as a toddler. “Since I was a kid I have had to do breathing treatments, wear a vest that would vibrate to help get the mucus out of my lungs, take medicines to help digest my food, take special vitamins, I have had surgeries, I have been on oxygen and at one point I weighed 95 pounds.” Cystic fibrosis causes the build-up of sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive tracts and can lead to dangerous infections and the blockage of necessary enzymes that help digest food. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis 60 years ago typically wouldn't live to attend elementary school. But Kuehl, married with a 9-yearold stepdaughter, is an example of what research has been able to do for CF sufferers.
“I help with the walk, I volunteer at school and help raise my daughter full time. My condition won't let me be consistent enough to really have a job, but I do a lot.” Kuehl’s extensive medical history is dotted with procedures and surgeries. She received a double lung transplant in 2009, just eight months after her wedding. Before the transplant, she was so ill she was forced to use oxygen, taking the tank with her everywhere, even to the church on her big day. “We asked the pharmaceutical company for as much tubing as they could give us, and my uncle just kept feeding the line down the aisle.” Four years later, Kuehl’s condition has improved. While she still undergoes breathing treatments and takes a variety of medications for digestion, the transplant and the diabetes she has developed are well under control. She keeps her head up, even joking about how she came to find herself living with the disease. “Both your parents have to carry the gene and then there’s a 25 percent chance their child could be born with cystic fibrosis. I guess I was just part of that lucky 25!”
Author of The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity
FREE TO THE PUBLIC Bring a Friend to this Life-changing Event Attendees will learn how to: • Draw more prosperity into their lives • Create clear cut goals
Go & Do Today “Dynamic Earth: Exploring Earth’s Climate Engine,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield College, Planetarium, Math and Science Building, room 112, 1801 Panorama Drive. $6.50; $4.50 students/seniors. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time, they will not be sold at the door. 395-4326. *SOLD OUT. Matt Maher, 7 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, 900 H St. Free. 3274734. A Night of Inspiration, keynote speaker Katie Adamson, 6 p.m., The Petroleum Club, 5060 California Avenue. $125 per person; $225 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at Rabobank branch locations, Kuka’s Folk Art. Visit heartsfrc.org or 328-9055. Fourth annual Taste of Hope Fundraiser, hosted by National Multiple Sclerosis Society; food by Frugatti’s, wine by Imbibe, live music, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave. $40. 3219512 ext. 66401. Free Organ Recital, with Eric Holderman, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., St. Paul’s Anglican Parish, 2216 17th Street. You may purchase a lunch from the church or you may bring your own. 861-6020. Greg & Steve Children’s Concert, 10 a.m. today and Friday, Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Ave. $7. 8615271 or 861-5208. Kern County Cattle Women’s “A
• Find your purpose • Find forgiveness
Free Childcare Available
Night at Buck Owens,” music by Bluetooth Cowboys, cocktails 5 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m., Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $150 (dinner for two people). Visit kerncattlewomen.org or email info@kerncattlewomen.org. Kern County Mineral Society, meeting, 7:30 p.m., East Bakersfield Veterans Hall, 2101 Ridge Rd. 834-3128. Retro Series, see the movie “Roman Holiday,” 7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. Saturday, Maya Cinemas, 1000 California Ave. $6. 636-0484. South Valley Sound Chorus Acapella Practice Night, 7 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 203 South H St. Visit southvalleysound.org or 346-6190. Free Admission Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. 324-6350. Bingo, warmups start at 5 p.m., with early birds at 6 p.m., regular games at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Volunteer Center of Kern County, 2801 F St. From $20 buy-in to “the works.” 395-9787.
Friday “Camp” Movie, inspired by true stories from camps for abused and neglected children; 6 p.m., Maya Cinemas, 1000 California Ave. $6-$9.50. 6360484. California Virtual Academies Open House, 2 to 3 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. Free. Visit k12.com/cava.
Condors vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, Mohawk Giveaway: the first 2,000 fans 17 und under, will receive a Condors mohawk, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $8 to $30. Tickets: Rabobank box office, bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “Aftershock,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 428-0354. Meet-and-Greet Get-Together, with artist Wiktor Szostalo of Tree Hugger Project, 3 to 5 p.m., Sustenance 101, 1810 Eye St. Free. 333-0320.
Saturday, March 23rd • 10 am- 12:30 am 222 Eureka St., Bakersfield • 323-3109 www.cslbakersfield.org Love Offering Accepted
Saturday “Imagine That! 2013,” excerpt from “Romeo and Juliet” and contemporary ballet pieces, 2 and 7 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $16 adults; $12 children/seniors. 703-0628 or 310-717-0625. 18th annual Kern County Scottish Gathering & Games, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ceilidh 6 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $16; $13 seniors/students and military w/ID; $16 Ceilidh. Visit kernscot.org or 865-8890 or 203-4114. 5K Funfest: A Run/Walk for Kids with Special Needs, food, entertainment, community fair, 8 a.m., Yokuts Park, 4200 Empire Drive. $25 advance; $30 at the door. Kids 12 and under free 1K run. Visit active.com, search for Funfest or 5kFunFest.org. Please see GO & DO / 36
NORTHEAST
NORTHWEST
3615 Mount Vernon Ave.
4750 Coffee Road
(661) 871-3556
(661) 588-4700
CENTRAL
SHAFTER
4130 California Avenue
300 Lerdo Hwy.
(661) 325-4717
(661) 746-9244
voted Best Pizza in Bakersfield!
www.tonyspizzabakersfield.com