65 Roses Day set to bloom on 10 April

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) has launched an appeal for people in Cork to help it meet its fundraising target of €300,000 on 65 Roses Day, which will take place this year on Friday 10 April.

Volunteers across the country will be selling purple roses in Dunnes Stores branches, shopping centres, and other participating outlets across Cork to support the fundraiser.

The name 65 Roses Day stems from how young children often pronounce “cystic fibrosis” and its objective is to raise vital funds for cystic fibrosis services and supports throughout Ireland.

Liam McCarthy, Chairperson of the Southern Branch of CFI - whose son Ben lives with cystic fibrosis (CF) - asked the Cork community to stand with them. “Every service we provide, whether it’s supporting families, funding hospital units, or advancing life-changing research - depends entirely on public generosity.

“Your support on 65 Roses Day directly impacts the lives of people living with Cystic Fibrosis across Ireland.

“So buy a rose, pop down to Dunnes Stores, or donate online to support 65 Roses Day,” he said.

As part of 65 Roses Day 2026, Cystic Fibrosis ambassadors have penned letters to their future selves, imagining milestones and plans for futures that once felt out of reach.

Children living with CF also took part in a workshop with cartoonist Brendan Lonergan, creating self-portraits of themselves both now and as they envision their future selves.

These letters and artworks, which captures this hopeful shift through deeply personal reflections, form the foundation of a powerful new exhibition, ‘Rewriting Tomorrow’, taking place at The Copper House in Dublin city centre during 65 Roses Week 2026.

The exhibition opens on Tuesday 7 April and will run until Sunday 12 April.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that affects multiple systems including breathing, digestion and reproduction.

Ireland has the highest rate of cystic fibrosis per capita in the world, with more than 1,400 people living with the disease, and on average 33 new cases are diagnosed annually.

Thanks to multidisciplinary care and the introduction of modulator therapies, many people with cystic fibrosis are living well into adulthood.

However, as people age, new challenges can emerge, including cystic fibrosis‑related diabetes, osteoporosis and an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Today, CFI is investing in research to better understand the emerging issues and provides essential supports.

These include a dedicated information and support line, targeted financial assistance through a range of grants to ease the cost of living with cystic fibrosis, and monthly online peer-support groups that connect people with the disease and strengthen the community.