May was National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in Canada and one local family has been raising funds and awareness for the cause for more than twelve years now!

It all started when Mike and Cara Weger discovered that their daughter Teresa had the fatal genetic disease.

"When our daughter was diagnosed we decided we were going to do everything we could to help people with cystic fibrosis," exclaimed Mike Weger. "Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects primarily the lungs and digestive system, causes excessive mucus in the body, and leads to infections and potential lung failure."

Over the years the Wegers have raised well over $500,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada! And even with the added hurdles this year brought they have still managed to raise a hefty sum of funds for the cause they believe in.

"This year, given the state of the economy, it is more about awareness than raising money but every donation, big or small does help," Weger explained. "And our final total for the end of May was just over $32,000."

Part of the past year's total came from the Weger's record breaking butter tart sale where they baked and sold roughly 21,000 butter tarts, bringing their six year total close to 100,000 units baked and sold. The Wegers have also been holding an annual "Night Out for Cystic Fibrosis" fundraiser for a full decade with this past summer being the first year without the event. Instead this past summer they participated in a CF fundraising hike to Machu Picchu in Peru with some friends.

During the past month Mike's son Bennett did his own rollerblading challenge fundraiser for cystic fibrosis where he roller-bladed a total of 580 kilometers and blasted 4,300 shots on his hockey net before sustaining a foot injury on May 24th. Due to the injury many of Bennett's friends and family came together to help him finish his challenge and continue to raise funds for CF. His friends even dropped off a get well note and a care package to help him enjoy his recovery time.

"I think Bennett's been really surprised by all the support," told Weger. "By other kids seeing what he was doing and wanting to support him by sharing posts that they were doing it as well. As a parent it was so good to see that Bennett inspired kids that have a bit more times on their hands right now to get out and be active for a good cause. At the end of the day it was all in fact to raise awareness. Bennett was doing this for his sister Teresa and everyone in Canada with cystic fibrosis."

Right before the end of the month Mike and some of his friends hopped on their motorcycles for the annual "Ride for the Breath of Life" CF fundraising ride.

"This year we couldn't all go into Regina to do it together," said Weger. "So I rounded up four other bikers including my father who is seventy-seven years old. Then we did a 355 kilometer round-trip taking us past Montmarte and by Kenosee Lake. Then back into Weyburn through Stoughton. It was a real nice scenic drive and just another way to get out and raise a little money and awareness for cystic fibrosis. I think the 'Ride for the Breath of Life' has been going on out of Regina for close to forty years now. I've been a part of it for the past five years."

Then this past Sunday the Weger family wrapped up Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month by joining the virtual opening and closing ceremonies for Saskatchewan. This year Cystic Fibrosis Canada named the annual event "The Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History".

"The ceremonies featured some of our people from Weyburn that did challenges," Weger explained. "And they finished off the ceremonies with Tenille Arts performing her song 'Breathe'."

Tenille Arts recorded 'Breathe' in 2015 after being inspired by Teresa Weger's fight with CF. The song was released to iTunes with all the proceeds going to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

And even though National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month is over the Weger family is still continuing their fundraising efforts for the cause in a number of different ways.

"We still have a few things continuing," Weger told. "I know we're still doing our joint bottle drive with Weyburn Minor Ball for a little bit longer. If anyone has any bottles or cans, we're still accepting those for a donation. I will come and pick them up if you call me or text me at 306-861-4866. Or they can also be dropped off during business hours at Southside Auto Wreckers. Also Bennett recently received a framed hockey photo that he is auctioning off on his fundraising page."

The photo features a large 26” x 32” print of Wendel Clark from Saskatchewan and Doug Gilmour. Bidding closes this Saturday at 5 PM and you can make your bids on Bennett's Rollerblading for Cystic Fibrosis Challenge page on Facebook.

"We're going to keep logging kilometers for the month of June and hopefully onward to continue to support one another and stay active and just be healthy," said Weger.

You can continue to make donations and help the Weger's to raise more funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada by visiting the Team Teresa 4300 Kilometer Challenge Facebook page.

"We were not expecting to raise a ton of money during these economic times," told Weger. "We did this to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis research. And I think we've raised a lot of awareness for it and maybe next year people will be in a better position to make a donation. Because every dollar we raise goes to Cystic Fibrosis Canada to find a cure or control for cystic fibrosis."