May 3 run raises money for ‘65 roses ’

People are often perplexed by the symbolism of the rose at a cystic fibrosis event.                         Holly Shaw and her son, IV, share a moment and a rose. Photo by C.T. Shaw. The story began in 1965. Mary Weiss, a mother of three young boys with cystic fibrosis, and a passionate volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, was on the phone making calls. Her objective was to reach out to every civic club, service organization, and anyone that would listen to seek financial support for CF research. After several phone calls, her4-year-old son Richard came into the room and said, “Mom, I know what you are working for.” After her initial shock, she asked, “What am I working for?” Young Richard replied, “You’re working for 65 Roses.” With tears running down her face, Mary nodded “yes” and the term 65 Roses was born. And since that day in 1965, children with cystic fibrosis have used “65 Roses” to describe and pronounce their disease. Though it may be easier for these children to say, it certainly has not made this disease any easier to live with. As a CF dad living in Leland, I recently attended the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Volunteer Leadership Conference and had the honor to meet Mary Weiss. What she and many others have accomplished over the past 50 years advocating for the foundation and those with cystic fibrosis has absolutely allowed my 2-year-old son a longer li...
Source: Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide Blog - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Campaigns Source Type: blogs