Today, April 13th, marks national Cystic Fibrosis and 65 Roses Day and as part of the build-up the
the Blanchardstown-headquartered project management company, Malone Group, has sponsored a national radio advertising campaign to raise awareness of the day and the need for public support in raising funds for vital cystic fibrosis services.
On hand to launch Cystic Fibrosis Day were Keelin Shanley of RTÉ Six One News and broadcaster Bryan Dobson who urged the people of Ireland to “get their purple on” and buy a purple rose in participating shopping centres and Spar stores across Ireland and help raise much-needed funds for cystic fibrosis (CF) services.
The “65 Roses” appeal gets its name from the way children with this condition often first say the words “cystic fibrosis”. People can support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day on Friday April 13 by buying a purple rose for €2 or donating online at 65rosesday.ie. They can also complete a 65 Roses Challenge by going to www.65rosesday.ie. To donate €2, you can also text 65ROSES to 50300.
Ireland has the highest incidence of CF per head of population and some of the most severe types of the condition in the world. According to the most recent Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland annual report, there were an estimated 1,339 people living with CF in Ireland in 2016.
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 around the country, 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 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. 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. I would urge everyone to ‘get their purple on’ and buy a purple rose on 65 Roses Day, Friday April 13, and help raise much-needed funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.”
According to Caoimhín Ó Lúing, Operations Manager, Malone Group: “Malone Group made Cystic Fibrosis Ireland their charity of choice a number of years ago and I am delighted that I can play my part to support the charity, with the support of my colleagues and my employer. Apart from the sponsorship being provided to the national radio advertising campaign, our staff are also getting involved in a 65 Roses Challenge which will see them undertaking a 65K Cycle and hopefully raising a lot more funds. We’d encourage others to join with us in flying the flag for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland by either sponsoring our staff or organising 65 Roses Challenges of their own. We are proud to give back to the community and help make a difference.”
