Rose sales drive funds for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis WA is calling on volunteers and businesses across the state to help the charity raise $75,000 this Friday as part of its annual ’65 Roses Day’.

By selling $5 roses to the public, the charity seeks to fund research aimed at finding a cure for the genetic disease, which affects nearly 4,000 Australians.

Western Australia-based flower exporter Wafex donated roses to Cystic Fibrosis WA each year since 2009, while volunteers from Telstra will be wrapping the roses this year before selling them across the state.

The charity raised $62,500 through rose sales last year, having grown year on year since raising $8,500 in 2009.

Cystic Fibrosis WA chief executive Nigel Barker says when people support 65 Roses Day they are helping the organisation continue to provide specialised services for people living with the disease and to invest in research.

“Over 1 million Australian adults carry the recessive gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis but they just don’t know it,” Mr Barker said.

“Only with the continued support from our community are we able to fulfill our vision of ‘Lives Unaffected by CF’.

“By this we mean that every child born with this disease will be able to reach their full potential unencumbered by this disease.”

To complement 65 Roses Day, corporate wellness centre Vault Fitness will be running a supporting event for the third consecutive year.

A two-day spin cycling challenge will be hosted at Exchange Tower, with around 300 participants from companies including CBH Group, QBE Insurance Group, Herbert Smith Freehills, Austal and Woodside Petroleum, paying a registration fee donated to Cystic Fibrosis WA.

To correspond with national volunteer week, Cystic Fibrosis WA will be hosting a number of other events throughout May.