4th Annual Cork

4th Annual Cork "65 Roses" Ball

16 September 2009

The 4th Annual Cork "65 Roses" Ball will take place on Saturday 10th October in the Rochestown Park Hotel to raise vital funds to improve the facilities available to children with Cystic Fibrosis in the Cork University Hospital.

The black tie event begins at 7pm with a champagne reception, followed by a five course meal. Live entertainment will be provided by Ronnie Costley and Big Generator, followed by a disco so get your dancing shoes on! It promises to be a gala night of entertainment and fun for all guests.

The event is so named as when a child suffering from Cystic Fibrosis was unable to pronounce the name of the condition, he called it Sixty Five Roses. Children with Cystic Fibrosis throughout the world now use the term 65 Roses to describe their condition. But making it easier to say does not make it easier to live with.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is Ireland's most common life threatening inherited disease.  CF is a genetic disorder.  It is not contagious, you are born with it.  Approximately 1 in 19 people are carriers of the CF gene and when two carriers parent a child there is a 1 in 4 chance of the child being born with Cystic Fibrosis.  CF affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, pancreas, digestive tract and reproductive system. It causes a thick, sticky mucus to be produced, blocking the bronchial tubes and preventing the body's natural enzymes from digesting food.

Ireland has the highest prevalence of Cystic Fibrosis in the World and Ireland has the most severe types of Cystic Fibrosis in the World.  Despite this Ireland have the poorest resources for Cystic Fibrosis Patients in Europe. Children born today with CF can expect to live a near normal, full and productive life, provided that the correct facilities are in place.  All funds raised by the Cork "65 Roses" Ball 2009 will be used to improve the facilities available to children with Cystic Fibrosis in the Cork University Hospital.

Caroline O'Leary, organiser of the "65 Roses" Ball said "This will be the 4th Annual Cork "65 Roses" Ball and to date we have raised in the region of €140,000. It is vital that we keep on fundraising, to give children living with CF a brighter future."

Tickets for the ball are €125 and are available now from Caroline on 087 2566260 and Lynda on 086 3937054.