Rose Bowl Walk to Benefit Pulmonary Fibrosis Organization

Chatsworth residents Chantal Chelin and her daughter Sarah Jane Chelin will host a walk at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on May 12 to raise funds and awareness for Pulmonary Fibrosis, an incurable lung disease that took their husband and father in 2007 at the age of 54.

The monies raised from the first annual PF walk will be donated to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, a non-profit organization based in Culver City.

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.

Francis G. Chelin died in May 2007 after three weeks in an intensive care unit at UCLA Medical Center, while waiting for a double lung transplant.

"I watched my father fight every step of the way as his lungs slowly failed him, robbing him of the basic ability to breathe," said Sarah Jane Chelin in a statement. "He had to give up every bit of his independence and dignity as the disease progressed."

The Chelin’s decided the best way to raise awareness for the disease would be to hold a walk at “an impressive location.”

They chose the Rose Bowl because around 128,000 people suffer from PF at any given time and the Rose Bowl has roughly 100,000 seats. The pair said they felt it would be impactful for people to know that more people suffer from PF than the Rose Bowl can hold.

The Chelin’s chose the Culver City CPF organization because “it serves as a national voice for the tens of thousands of Pulmonary Fibrosis patients who suffer from this terminal disease," said Chantal Chelin. "We are currently recruiting sponsors for this event and hope interested companies or families will sign on now."

CPF Chief Executive Officer Mishka Michon said, “We're honored the Chelin family has decided to raise awareness and funding for the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis while paying tribute to such a wonderful man. “The Rose Bowl is a fitting tribute to not only Mr. Chelin, but to the 200,000 people who have [also] lost their lives from the disease since it claimed his life in 2007 - double the number of people who could fit in the Rose Bowl stadium."

The walk will take place this Sat. May 12 at the Rose Bowl at 9 a.m.

Registration Fees: Adult: $20; Children under 12: $0 (Please register as an adult to receive a t-shirt)

Click here to register online or make a donation without attending the walk, or call 1-888-222-8541.