Killarney

By Michelle Crean
<h3>A Killarney father of three boys &#8211; who were all born with Cystic Fibrosis &#8211; is calling on the public to donate to the 65 Roses Day today (Friday).</h3>
Tim O&#8217;Donoghue says the access to vital CF services is what helps them to lead a full and healthy life.
 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.
 Today volunteers will be out in force collecting for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland&rsquo;s annual fundraising day. It is called 65 Roses Day as it derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words &#8220;Cystic Fibrosis&#8221;.
 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.
 &ldquo;I have three wonderful sons, who all happen to have CF,&#8221; Tim said.
 &#8220;We have always worked hard as a family to keep the lads healthy and keep them on track with their treatment. The eldest is 21 now and while there have been challenging times over the years, we have found that it isn&rsquo;t just family support that is needed, but access to facilities, grants and services that can help the lads live their best life. That is why I am supporting 65 Roses Day this year, to call on people to donate and help CFI continue to provide these vital supports, which I, for one, am very glad to have availed of.&rdquo;
 Radio stations have been playing &lsquo;Breathe Easy&rsquo; sung by Stephanie Rainey in the lead up to today&#8217;s fundraiser. All royalties earned from every radio play are being donated to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
 &lsquo;Breathe Easy&rsquo; is an original song written by professional songwriter Myles Gaffney in memory of his late-niece Ciara O&rsquo;Gorman, who died from Cystic Fibrosis complications in 2017 aged 24, 12 days after giving birth to her son, Rocco.
 To support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day today (Friday), donate online at 65roses.ie or buy a purple rose in Dunnes Stores or other participating outlets nationwide. People can also donate to the &lsquo;Breathe Easy&rsquo; 65 Roses Day fundraiser on Just Giving at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BreatheEasySong.

Killarney father calls for Cystic Fibrosis support

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