Longford people urged to support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is calling on the people of Longford to show support for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland this year and to don purple to help raise much-needed funds for people in county Longford living with CF by supporting their 65 Roses Day this Friday, April 14.

Supporting the campaign and encouraging the public to get involved is local Cystic Fibrosis Ireland Ambassador, Jillian McNulty (46), a person with cystic fibrosis and post-transplant patient, from Glack, Co Longford.

Speaking ahead of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day, Jillian McNulty said, “When I was diagnosed with CF, my mam was told I wouldn’t live past four or five years of age. Over the years, I have successfully campaigned for the drug Orkambi, been given compassionate access to Kaftrio and I have recently been incredibly lucky to have had a kidney transplant. So here I am at 46 — defying the odds.

“The support to get to where I am now has been a huge help and I’m calling on everyone to support 65 Roses Day this year to keep services, support and grants available for people in Ireland.”

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Volunteers will be out in force selling purple roses in Co Longford and across the country, in Dunnes Stores or other participating outlets. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world and some of the most severe types. There are more than 1,400 people living with CF in Ireland and the number is increasing each year as a result of improvements in treatment and care.

65 Roses Day derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words "cystic fibrosis" and seeks to raise much-needed funds for cystic fibrosis services and supports for people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland.

Please support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day on Friday, April 14 by donating online at 65roses.ie or buying a purple rose in Dunnes Stores or other participating outlets nationwide.

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Funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help to provide exercise equipment, counselling sessions and grants for people with CF undergoing a transplant or fertility assessment, or for families with CF who have recently been bereaved. Funds also go to support cystic fibrosis research and the building of new CF hospital facilities and the funding of specialist CF staff.

Local radio stations are also being encouraged to play the new song ‘Breathe Easy’ — featuring popular singer Stephanie Rainey on vocals — when it goes on local release on Saturday, April 8 (the day after its national release on April 7) in association with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

All royalties earned from every radio play of ‘Breathe Easy’ up until 65 Roses Day on April 14 are being donated to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

‘Breathe Easy’ is an original song written by professional songwriter Myles Gaffney in memory of his late-niece Ciara O’Gorman, who died from cystic fibrosis complications in 2017 aged 24, twelve days after giving birth to her son, Rocco. 

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The track also features other well-known traditional folk musicians such as Blacky (Michael) O’Connell, Claire Sands and Rory McCarthy, and it was produced by Myles Gaffney and Kealan Kenny.

People can also donate to the ‘Breathe Easy’ 65 Roses Day fundraiser on Just Giving at 
www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/BreatheEasySong