06/04/2026
Support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland by buying a purple rose this Friday April 10th or by donating online @ www.65roses.com. All donations are very much appreciated 💜.
Trevor O’Donoghue Calls on Kerry Community to Support 65 Roses Day
A Killarney man living with cystic fibrosis is calling on the people of Kerry to show their support this April as Cystic Fibrosis Ireland prepares for its annual 65 Roses Day fundraiser.
Trevor O’Donoghue is urging the public to help the organisation reach its national fundraising target of €300,000 on 65 Roses Day, which takes place on Friday, 10th April. Volunteers will be out in force across the country selling purple roses at locations including Dunnes Stores and the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting inherited condition that affects multiple systems in the body, including breathing, digestion and reproduction. Ireland has the highest rate of CF per capita in the world, with more than 1,400 people living with the condition and approximately 33 new cases diagnosed each year. While advances in treatment - including modulator therapies - have significantly improved quality of life, there is still no cure, and many challenges remain.
Speaking ahead of the campaign, Trevor shared his own experience of living with CF and the importance of continued support.
“Hi, I’m Trevor. I am a son, an uncle, a partner, a friend, a dog lover and a photographer. I also have CF. Thankfully I am living well and long may that last. But living well with CF takes an extra layer of hard work that people don’t always appreciate or see,” he said.
“The support from Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is invaluable, whether that is through grants or raising awareness. On 65 Roses Day, I’m calling on everyone to buy a rose, visit Dunnes Stores or donate online. Every donation goes towards supporting people with CF in Ireland. We really appreciate your support.”
Funds raised through the campaign help Cystic Fibrosis Ireland provide a wide range of essential services, including a dedicated support line, financial assistance grants and peer-support groups that connect those living with the condition.
As part of this year’s campaign, Trevor is behind a powerful new exhibition titled “Rewriting Tomorrow,” which opened in Killarney Library and will take place at The Copper House from April 7th to 12th. The exhibition features personal letters written by CF ambassadors to their future selves, alongside artwork created by children living with CF in collaboration with cartoonist Brendan Lonergan.
The exhibition reflects a growing sense of hope within the CF community, as improved treatments allow many to look ahead to futures that once seemed uncertain.
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is encouraging people throughout Kerry to get involved, whether by purchasing a purple rose locally or making a donation online. Public support, organisers say, is vital to ensuring that services continue and that progress towards better treatments - and ultimately a cure - remains on track.
For Trevor and many others, the message is simple: community support can make a life-changing difference.
