Support CF Ireland on 65 Roses Day

Today is Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day fundraising appeal and at the launch recently, the people of Cork were urged to buy a purple rose and help raise much-needed funds for cystic fibrosis (CF) services.

Volunteers are out and about on the streets of the county selling purple roses, while purple roses will also be on sale in participating Spar stores.

The 65 Roses appeal gets its name from the way children with this condition are often first taught to say the words ‘cystic fibrosis’. Apart from buying a purple rose, people can also support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day on Friday April 13 by:

- Donating online at 65rosesday.ie

- Completing a 65 Roses Challenge – for details visit 65rosesday.ie

- Texting 65ROSES to 50300 to donate €2 (Text costs €2. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will receive a minimum of €1.80. Service Provider: LIKE CHARITY. Helpline: 076-6805278.)

Ireland has the highest incidence of CF per head of population and some of the most severe types of the condition in the world.

Almost all of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s funding comes from public donations and organisers are hoping to raise more than €100,000 for vital CF services in 2018.

Services funded include the development of new CF units, incorporating in-patient, day care and out-patient facilities, specialist CF multi-disciplinary posts in hospitals, patient support grants, and medical and scientific research.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s ambassador, and presenter of the RTÉ ‘Six One News’, Keelin Shanley, sees cystic fibrosis as a very Irish disease, requiring extra support for people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland.

“Cystic fibrosis is such an Irish disease. Of course, you can find it all over the world, but so many people are diagnosed with the condition here, and we also have some of the most serious types. I think this cause is something that we Irish in particular need to rally behind and that we make life that little bit easier for people with the condition.”