Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) is calling on people to support 65 Roses Day, taking place tomorrow, Friday, 14th April, by donating online atwww.65Roses.ie or buying a purple rose in Dunnes Stores or other participating outlets nationwide.
Supporting 65 Roses Day this year is CFI ambassador Rosanna Davison, who is a leading advocate for people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) in Ireland, who said:
“I’m delighted to support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day again this year on Friday, 14th April.
One of the many reasons I originally became an ambassador is because the statistics for CF in Ireland really surprised me. This country has the highest rate of CF of anywhere in the world, with one in 19 people thought to carry one copy of the altered gene that causes CF.
The support services and resources for people living with CF have improved, but raising much-needed funds and public and media awareness remains critically important, and I felt that I was in a position to bring more attention to 65 Roses Day. I feel hugely honoured to be involved.”
This year, CFI is seeking to raise €350,000 and relies on donations from the public from events like 65 Roses Day to be able to continue to provide supports and services for people with CF.
Funds raised will help fund over 500 grants for people with CF, supporting them in areas including exercise, fertility treatment and transplant procedures, as well as funding CF units in hospitals, specialist CF staff in these units, CF research and advocacy.
Personal Story — Five-year old twins Ben and Sarah
Lisa Smyth and her husband Dave Healy are the parents of five-year old twins Ben and Sarah. Ben was diagnosed with CF when he was two weeks old, while his twin sister Sarah’s test came back clear.
The family live in Portmarnock, Co Dublin, where they moved to last year so that Ben could be near the sea and fresh air.
Commenting on what 65 Roses Day means to her and her family, Lisa, age 40, a social worker, said: “The idea of CF really frightened me in the beginning when Ben was diagnosed with CF as a newborn baby.
CFI were there to support us as new parents and provided us with information so that we could learn more about CF.
“It is inspiring also to see how far treatment for CF has come in the last 20 years, and how many children and adults with CF now live healthy, normal lives. There are great supports and early medical interventions from multi-disciplinary teams. That fills me with such hope. I would encourage everyone to support 65 Roses Day to help in providing supports and services to those with CF who need it.”
65 Roses Day – Friday, 14th April
Please support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland tomorrow on 65 Roses Day – Friday, 14th April by donating online at www.65Roses.ie or buying a purple rose in Dunnes Stores or other participating outlets nationwide.