Local politicians joined forces in Galway to launch a special fundraising appeal for cystic fibrosis.
Deputies Hildegarde Naughton, Eugene Murphy, Sean Kyne, Anne Rabbitte, Sean Canney and Éamon Ó Cuív are backing the 65 Roses Day fundraising appeal which will take place on April 13.
The 65 Roses appeal gets its name from the way children with this condition are often first taught to say the words “cystic fibrosis”.
Volunteers will be out and about on the streets of the county, including Eyre Square Shopping Centre, while purple roses will also be on sale in participating Spar stores.
Schools and companies are being encouraged to get behind 65 Roses Day by selling purple roses or organising their own 65 roses challenges, such a €6.5 bake sale, cycling 65 kilometres, or swimming a mile - 65 lengths of a pool.
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, says cystic fibrosis ois a very Irish disease, requiring extra support 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 have had the pleasure of meeting cystic fibrosis campaigner Orla Tinsley on a number of occasions and I, like many others, have been hugely inspired by her strength and positivity following her recent double lung transplant. Undoubtedly, there have been positive developments here with ground-breaking new therapies and improvements in CF treatment and care, but we still have a long way to go."
If any one would like to volunteer and lend support on 65 Roses Day by selling purple roses in the communityor workplace, call Peter on LoCall 1890 311 211, email [email protected] or visit 65rosesday.ie.
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 ), or 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.]
