Cork's going purple for cystic fibrosis
“It's really a case of adopting as positive an approach as you can under the circumstances.”
The words of Bandon native Mark O’Driscoll, 34, who has lived a full and active life despite being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age.
With 65 Roses Day falling tomorrow, Friday, Mark is appealing to the people of Cork and beyond to buy purple roses in support of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI).
The name of the annual fundraising campaign stems from how young children often pronounce cystic fibrosis and its objective is to raise vital funds for cystic fibrosis services and supports throughout Ireland.
CFI provides a range of supports and grants across exercise, fertility, transplants, distress funds, counselling, and bereavement.
For Mark, the excercise grant has played a huge role in his journey with cystic fibrosis and how he copes with the condition.
“It's the drum I'm always banging,” he told the Cork Independent.
“In terms of the physical health of it, if you can get a really good handle on that, it really does bleed into all the other aspect of your treatments and your healthcare.
“It's a bit of an individual journey that I took on very, very young and still maintain to this day. That's given me a very good foundation of cardiovascular and strength to just maintain for as long as possible which is the aim of the game,” the Bandon man added.
“You've a load of support systems in place which are absolutely invaluable but at the end of the day, the buck really does stop with you individually. My parents would have really tried to instil that in me as a young fella,” said Mark.
Tomorrow, as part of 65 Roses Day, volunteers will be selling purple roses at 17 Dunnes Stores branches across Cork city and county.
primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Ireland currently has the highest incidence and some of the most severe types of cystic fibrosis in the world. More than 1,400 people are living with cystic fibrosis in Ireland with 197 of them in Cork according to the latest figures.
A recent survey conducted by CFI found that despite recent advancements in treatment, significant challenges from accessing medication to obtaining financial products such as insurance, still exist for people living with the condition in Ireland.
“It's just so amazing how much things have changed in the period since I was diagnosed, let's say 25/30 years ago,” said Mark.
“At the time, there was a lot more doom and gloom. It's still a very, very serious illness of course these days but the advancements in medicines and supports, I mean the treatment of the illness today is quite unrecognisable,” he added.
The much-needed funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help provide supports to answer challenges including services such as financial assistance and grants, a listening service, and advocacy efforts to empower and support people living with cystic fibrosis and their families.
Funds raised will also allow CFI to invest in cystic fibrosis related research, specialist clinical, teams and services to improve care for those living with the illness and ultimately find a cure.
People in Cork can get involved in 65 Roses Day by donating online at 65roses.ie or purchasing a purple rose in their local Dunnes Stores. Participating Dunnes Stores outlets in Cork are in Ballincollig, Ballyvolane, Carrigaline, Clonakilty, Bandon Road, Bishopstown, Blackpool, Charleville, Douglas Court, Merchants Quay, Patrick St, Macroom, Mallow, Carrigaline Shopping Centre, Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, and Wilton Shopping Centre.