Walking With a Purpose with IST
IST's Gives Back
From March 1st through June 6th, IST is once again bringing together employees, clients, and friends to walk and fundraise for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. What initially began many years ago as a single moment of connection for IST Management CEO & President, Hal Blackman has bloomed into an ever-growing, nationwide partnership with CFF. You can make an impact with a donation or by signing up to walk with Great Strides in a city near you! Each dollar raised funds research, improves treatments, and continues the fight towards a Cystic Fibrosis cure.
Team IST is almost halfway to our $30k goal, having raised $14,740!
Our incredible 2026 Team IST
T-Shirt was created by our employee,
Lindsey Lafrance,
from Chicago, IL.
2026 Fundraising Opportunities
- Create a walker page and receive a Team IST T-Shirt created by Lindsey Lafrance in
Chicago, IL. (IST Family)
- Attend a walk and earn 100 Blackman Bucks (IST Employees)
- Raise $20 and enter for a chance to win a 4-day, 3-night stay at the Atlantis Resort in
the Bahamas. (IST Family)
- Raise $50, receive a free $50 gift card of your choice from IST, and IST donates $50 to
CFF on your behalf. (IST Employees)
- Donate $10 and participate in “Jeans Day” (Select Employees)
- All Walkers who raise $200+ will receive a Special Edition IST Top Fundraiser Mug
2026 Top Fundraiser Prizes
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Extra PTO Day
- Apple iPad (11in) + Extra PTO Day
- Amazon Kindle Scribe + Extra PTO Day
- $300 AMEX Gift Card + Extra PTO Day
Nationwide Walks, Local Impact
The success of IST’s community outreach efforts depends heavily on our team leaders at various sites and leadership levels. Our managers encourage employees, clients, and even vendors to register to walk, fundraise, and learn more about IST’s “Why” behind our Cystic Fibrosis Foundation partnership.
Our 2026 fundraising efforts are grounded in the story of our newly welcomed CF Ambassador Family, the Zottas. A strong connection between people and purpose has always driven our IST Gives Back community outreach approach.
IST’s 2026 Cystic Fibrosis Ambassador Family brings a deeply personal perspective to this year’s campaign. Kevin and Lexie Zotta, based in Dawsonville, Georgia, are raising two young children, Maggie and Hayden — both living with CF. Like many families, they had never heard of the disease before Maggie’s diagnosis following a routine newborn screening while she was still in the NICU. Both children now take Kalydeco, a CFTR modulator that has significantly improved their care, allowing for reduced enzyme use and less intensive daily therapies like chest physical therapy. Despite the challenges, Maggie enjoys an active childhood filled with playgroups and sports, embodying the resilience that defines so many in the CF community.
Empowering Participation - Big or Small
Keeping our fundraising momentum strong through spring and into summer, IST teams are participating in local walks across 38 cities nationwide. One of the most exciting parts of our CF fundraising season is the Atlanta Great Strides Walk, including IST’s signature Kids Fun Zone. (May 16th in Suwanee, GA) We can’t wait to see all our IST family and friends smiling faces, ready to walk for a cure!
Year after year, IST is proud to fundraise and contribute to a larger community outreach movement, one that has extended the life expectancy of individuals with Cystic Fibrosis by more than 25 years. Join us and be a part of the change we want to see in our communities.
Check out our video recap of last year's 2025 walk below!
