Local bands rocked Florida Atlantic University’s Grand Palm room Saturday at the Rock that Breath fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event, which earned almost $1,500, kicked off with martial arts demonstrations that showcased talent and taught self defense techniques. Over 200 people, including volunteers, attended the event that is a kickoff to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Coral Springs Great Strides Walk on Feb. 26.
Attendees listened to local bands, Where is Monday? Hands Free Method, Lost, My Love? and Afraid Dave while dining on Chick-fil-A and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The event also featured Hapkido, Capoeira, and Tae Kwon Do martial art teams that volunteered their time.
“The foundation depends on families and friends of patients to raise money through events like this one,” said Linda Bowman, event coordinator and foundation volunteer. Bowman has organized events and volunteered with the foundation for over eight years. “As a Cystic Fibrosis sufferer, events like this one are important to me.”
According to the Cystic Fibrosis website, the life threatening genetic disease affects the lungs and digestive tracts. It affects 30,000 Children and adults in the United States. “I was diagnosed at age three and doctors said I would not make it to age eight,” said Bowman.
With the average life expectancy for individuals with the disease being age 33, Bowman, age 43, is defying the odds and doctor’s predictions with each sunrise, “I am realistic and understand that it’s too late for me but the money raised can fund research that can save lives.” Bowman, like most people the disease affects, has been stricken with Diabetes, and was forced to leave her job because of the daily regimen of aerosols and respiratory treatment she needs to live.
“Most people don’t understand how debilitating this disease is because I look fine on the outside,” said Bowman. The flu and cold season is particularly hard on Bowman because a normal person’s cold is her pneumonia.
Fifteen years ago she started speaking publicly about her disease and says it was like coming out of the closet. “This disease has extreme limitations. My husband and I could never have kids and that is tough.” Bowman has organized the Steady on Team that walks each year at the foundation’s largest national fundraiser, the Great Strides Walk. The five-hour event cost FAU students a donation of $5 to attend and general admissions was $8. Attendees were also urged to purchase raffle tickets, blue breath bracelets or just to donate money to help the cause. “Everything from the bands to the food to the martial arts demonstrations were donations, so all the money raised today will go directly to the foundation,” said Lisa Castellano, junior psychology major.
Castellano works with the FAU students advocating volunteer involvement, FAU volunteer center, and the St. Jude Life Teen center, “Since I work with-on campus organizations, I got the room for the event.” Bowman and Castellano, who attend the same church called on members of the church’s outreach group St. Jude Life Teen center as volunteers for the event.
Castellano enlisted the local band Afraid Dave for entertainment. “We were glad to be here to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” said lead vocalist Charles Sobchak. All the bands volunteered their time to help raise money for the Foundation. Sobchak added, “We play at Surf Cafe all the time but this was our first time playing at a charity event.”
The sponsors of the event included: Barrett Hapkido martial arts, which organized the martial arts demonstrations, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, FAU Owl Radio, FAU volunteer center, FAU Students Advocating Volunteer Involvement, and the St. Jude Life Teen center.
“Ninety cents of every dollar raised goes directly to fund research,” said Bowman. The event raffled off dinner tickets, Miami Heat tickets, chiropractic consultations, free yoga and martial arts lessons, massages and many more that were all donations. “I feel honored to spread the word and encourage everyone to rock that breath.”
