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On Friday, April 12, employees and employers throughout Cleveland will wear their jeans for Cleveland’s official “Jeans for Genes Day” in an effort to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). A $5 donation is given by employees in exchange for permission to wear jeans to work.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S., many here in the Cleveland community. Since 1955, the CFF has been the driving force behind the pursuit of a cure.

“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation receives no federal funding, but it is through support from our families, friends and communities like Cleveland that a cure for this disease is so very close,” said Leigh Ellington, CFF Development Director. “You never know which dollar it will be that gets us to the cure, but we feel blessed by every pair of jeans worn and dollar donated to make it possible.”

“Jeans for Genes Day” is a precursor to the Great Strides walk and 65 Roses 5k happening Saturday, April 13, at Lee University.

Participating organizations include First Tennessee Bank, Life Care Centers of America, Lee University, and Regions Bank, but there is still time for other businesses to join in.

For employees that are already permitted to wear jeans to work, Ellington recommends having a “Wear Your Favorite Hat Day” or “Team T-Shirt Day.”

Organizations interested in participating in Cleveland’s official “Jeans for Genes Day” should contact Ellington at 865-583-0355 or [email protected]. She will send premade packets to any interested business. Packets include flyers, certificates, stickers for the employees, and helpful hints on how to promote the day.

“We are blessed to have the ability to work, to be healthy enough to earn a living and to be able to support ourselves,” said Ellington. “Let’s do all we can to provide that same opportunity to those with cystic fibrosis.”

For more information on cystic fibrosis, visit www.cff.org.

Additional information and online registration for this year’s Great Strides event is available at www.leeuniversity.edu/greatstrides or by contacting Cleveland walk coordinator Rosie Adams in Lee’s Office of Student Development at 614-8406 or [email protected].

PHOTO: Some lucky Lee University employees get a head start on observing Cleveland’s Official “Jeans for Genes Day.” Pictured here left to right (front row) are Danny Murray, Kim Brooks, Lanae Boyd, Kelsey Madden, Ellie Pfahl and Aaron Looney (back row) Dr. Jerome Hammond, Christy Dale, Kendra Gray, Ryan McDermott, Carolyn Carroll, Abby Black and Brian Conn.