Buying a rose on Friday May 24 will help more than 400 West Australians in the battle against cystic fibrosis.
Sharon Wallace, of Huntingdale, has two young daughters, her eldest, Sophia (9), lives with CF.
Sharon said compared to other kids, Sophia lived a good life for someone with CF, but it took a lot of work.
“Sophia does Muay Thai three days a week to keep her fitness up and her lungs clear,” she said.
“She trains hard and keeps fit to keep going.
“She is very empathetic and she’s always thinking of other kids, however she has had terrible anxiety. That is where Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA) has helped her so much.
“At her age she is asking a lot of questions around why she can’t meet up with other kids with CF and so she is using the services of CF Connect.
“There she can go online and meet other kids with CF,” she said.
CFWA’s 65 Roses Day recognises those living with CF: the most common, life-limiting genetic condition affecting Australians.
CFWA has set a fundraising target of $130,000, which they hope to achieve via pre-ordered bouquets (must be ordered before May17), their Virtual Rose Garden and the 20,000 long stemmed roses which will be available across WA on May 24.
“The current cost-of-living crisis is hitting everyone hard, but especially our CF families, off the back of COVID,” Cystic Fibrosis WA chief executive officer Lisa Bayakly said.
“They already face the challenges of daily treatment and frequent illness. Now they face increased costs of basic living on top of medications and caring for a sick child.
“The money we raise funds services and support at home and in the community; and helps families with the increasing costs of equipment, medication, hospital visits and crisis support.”
The florist-arranged bouquets can be pre ordered before May 17 and delivered on 65 Roses Day.
There are three options, all including delivery in the Perth metro area – $30 for a 65 Roses Posy, $65 for a 65 Roses Bouquet or a $100 Make Their Day Bouquet, all available from the dedicated 65 Roses Day fundraising page.
The 20,000 long stemmed roses will be for sale for $5 per stem, from stalls located across Western Australia.
You’ll find them in shopping centres and key locations, managed by an incredible team of volunteers as well as Event Management students from South Metropolitan TAFE. Since 2009, nearly 124,000 physical roses have been sold, all generously subsidised by leading flower exporter Wafex.
