SHELBURNE FALLS — After Sandra Gaffey’s daughter, Audrey Clark, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in 1995, Gaffey took it upon herself to contribute toward advancing a cure for cystic fibrosis by joining a Great Strides walk, a nationwide event and the largest fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Fast forward to 2024 and Gaffey is marking the 25th annual Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis in Shelburne Falls, having decided to organize her own local walk after forming a team called “Audrey’s Angels” in 1999.

This year’s walk will start at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School on Sunday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m. Participants can choose between a 1½-mile path or a 3-mile path, and registration is required by 1 p.m. on the day of the walk at tinyurl.com/CysticFibrosisWalk.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s cells, tissue, and glands that produce mucus and sweat. Cystic fibrosis causes mucus to thicken, which can then cause blockages, damage or infection in the affected organs. Around 40,000 adults and children are living with the disorder in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Typically, Gaffey expects around 50 people to attend the walk. Gaffey noted that although there is usually a set number of walkers who return each year, social media has helped to expand support.

“I have friends in California that support our walk out here in Massachusetts,” she said.

She always encourages teams or individuals to register to represent someone they know who has been affected by cystic fibrosis or to support the cause in general.

“I have a great group of people who agree year after year to be the photographer, be the water stop, be the person who hangs out at the school while everybody walks,” Gaffey said. “It’s really great that my friends all pitch in and help, and that has made it go smoothly. Over the years, it’s kind of become routine.”

Signs will be posted along the routes to guide walkers. On the 3-mile path, a water stop will be placed halfway, and there will be a designated volunteer driving around to check on walkers and provide them with medical assistance, snacks or water if needed.

To join the walk just requires a flat donation, which can be of any size.

“I think the smallest donation I got was a penny when a 5-year-old found a penny on the floor and said, ‘Will this help?’” Gaffey recalled. “I said, ‘Absolutely.’ That was really fun.”

In 2023, donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raised through the walk, combined with vendor fees and sales at a craft fair Gaffey also hosted, raised a personal record of $11,000. The goal is to beat that record by the end of the walk on May 19.