Cystic Fibrosis Awareness: Personal Stories and 65 Roses Day Support

Communities across Ireland are mobilizing to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis, with targeted efforts in Kildare, Cork, and Galway. These initiatives are part of a broader movement to support those living with the genetic condition and to fund vital medical research.

On April 10, 2026, a woman from Celbridge, County Kildare, called for public support for a fundraiser held in memory of her sister who died from cystic fibrosis. This effort aligns with wider calls from Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, which has urged residents of Kildare to support 65 Roses Day 2026.

Similar awareness efforts are appearing in other regions. In Galway, a patient living with the disease is seeking support for 65 Roses Day to assist others facing the same health challenges. In Cork, a man living with cystic fibrosis has shared his experience, emphasizing the importance of seeing the individual beyond the diagnosis, stating, I’m someone who happens to have cystic fibrosis, but there’s more to me than that.

The Origin of 65 Roses

The theme of 65 Roses is a central element of these fundraising efforts. The terminology dates back to 1965 and originated with a four-year-old boy named Richard Ricky Weiss.

At the time, Ricky’s mother, Mary G. Weiss, had become a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation after discovering that her three sons—Richard, Arthur, and Anthony—all had the disease. Mary G. Weiss was tasked with contacting various service organizations, social clubs, and civic groups to solicit financial contributions for cystic fibrosis research.

During this period, Ricky entered the room and told his mother that he knew what she was working for. When Mary asked him to clarify, the four-year-old replied:

You are working for 65 Roses.

Richard Weiss

The phrase was a child’s mispronunciation of the words cystic fibrosis. Since that interaction, 65 Roses has become a common term used by young children with the disease when attempting to pronounce its name.

Medical Context and Research Goals

Cystic fibrosis is a condition for which there is currently no known cure. The fundraising activities associated with 65 Roses Day are designed to provide financial support for the delivery of services to patients and to fund research initiatives aimed at finding a cure.

The scale of the need is significant. For example, in Australia, there are more than 3,700 people living with cystic fibrosis, with nearly 450 of those residing in Western Australia. The 2025 65 Roses Day event in that region raised over $185,000 through the sale of more than 26,000 roses.

While the global movement often centers on specific dates—such as May 29, 2026, for events in Western Australia—awareness and fundraising efforts frequently occur throughout the month of May and during other localized campaigns, such as the fundraiser in Celbridge on April 10, 2026.

The primary goal of these campaigns remains the acceleration of medical research. Because the disease affects multiple organ systems, the support from civic and social organizations is considered essential for the continued work of researchers striving to develop effective treatments and an eventual cure.