Northern Kentucky University tennis player Nick Lang and head coach Brian Nester are teaming up with folks from around the NKU community to participate in the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 5K Walk on Saturday, May 16.
The cause is close to Lang, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis himself at a very young age and lost his sister to the disease in 2013. Lang is the only NCAA Division I student-athlete in the nation with cystic fibrosis.
“I’m honored to be chosen out of many CF kids to lead this walk and support CF kids throughout the area,” said Lang, who just finished his sophomore season with the men’s team.
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United State have the disease.
“I was diagnosed when I was two-and-a-half,” said Lang. “My symptoms were non-existent, but my sister was diagnosed at that time, and since siblings are more likely to have it together, they tested me as well.
“I take about 30 pills a day and every night I have to do a breathing treatment. It’s not that big of a deal, but if you grabbed a random person off the street and told them they had to do all this, they would be shocked, overwhelmed.”
The walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the Purple People Bridge in Newport. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
Norse Nation can get involved by joining Lang and Nester’s team, named NKU2015, at the walk. Fans and friends are encouraged to join up with NKU2015 at the walk by donating on behalf of the team, or by walking alongside the team. Lang, Nester, Victor E. Viking and other members of NKU athletics will be there as well.
To join the team, donate or for more information, go to nkunorse.com/cff.