I woke up Saturday morning 30 minutes before I needed to be somewhere to take a picture.

It probably would have helped to set an alarm, but having fallen asleep Friday night without taking that precaution, I had to rely on my inner alarm clock.

Unfortunately, it’s always ticking a little slow.

I threw some water on my face and jeans and T-shirt on the rest of me, brushed my teeth and hair and headed out the door.

Fortunately, since we live at the Inez, it was only a short walk to the spot downtown where several teams were gathered to participate in a 5K walk and run for Great Strides of Brookhaven.

I actually made it there, though out of breath, with a few minutes to spare before several dozen people took off for their route through town.

I was able to snap my pictures and only once did I ever think about slinging the camera over my shoulder and joining in.

It was a fleeting thought.

It was only when the runners and walkers had departed for parts unknown, following behind their police escort, did I stop to talk to someone in charge to get the information for my photo.

I’d heard of Great Strides, but I’d never researched it in depth. I knew it had something to do with some kind of disease and it was one of those events that organizations hold to raise funds and awareness for a cause.

I have to admit, I was not very aware.

Shame on me.

Since Saturday I have done a bit of digging to avail myself of some information.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects about 30,000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

Sadly, in the ’50s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived long enough to attend even elementary school.

Today, advances in research and medical treatments have given children and adults better opportunities and longer lives. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and even beyond.

That’s where we can help.

These medical breakthroughs need funding. Families of CF patients need support. People need to be educated about this disease.

All of that takes money.

Great Strides of Brookhaven set a goal Saturday of $32,000. As of today, they’d raised $1,700, according to their website.

I think we could help them get a little closer to that goal, don’t you?

You can go to their page at fightcf.cff.org, but it’s easier to just search for Great Strides Brookhaven and click the link. There you’ll find a donation button so helping them financially is easy peasy.

It’s never too late to do that.

Donna Campbell is managing editor of The Daily Leader. Contact her at donna.campbell@dailyleader.com.