CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST

THE SIXTY-FIVE ROSES AUCTION

Raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the only UK-wide charity making a daily difference to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis, and those who care for them.

The name Sixty-Five Roses was first used many years ago when a little boy with cystic fibrosis overheard his mummy discussing his life-threatening condition and unable to understand her words thought she was talking about 'sixty five roses'. This charming mispronunciation was picked up, not only by his family but, by the cystic fibrosis community worldwide.

Cystic fibrosis is a difficult name for a complicated condition and most people are unaware of what is, or what it does, unless someone close to them is affected by it. It's a life-shortening genetic condition and only half live to celebrate their 40th birthday.

The faulty gene is carried by over two million people in the UK, most of whom have no idea. If two carriers have children, there's a one in four chance their child will have the condition, which slowly destroys the lungs and digestive system.

Most people with cystic fibrosis look perfectly healthy, but it's a lifelong challenge involving vast daily intakes of drugs, time-consuming physiotherapy and isolation from others with the condition. It places a huge burden on those around them and can critically escalate at any moment.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust invests in cutting-edge research: even though life expectancy has increased, only half live to see their 40th birthday. The Trust's patient registry and research programme helps them to develop treatments that limit the impact of cystic fibrosis, and will one day find a treatment to beat it for good.

They are driving up standards: medical developments mean this is no longer just a children's condition. The trust are committed to an ever-increasing quality of medical care from birth, to young adulthood and beyond.

They give support for all: once it impacts on an individual, their family and carers, the effects are long-lasting and debilitating. they provide high quality, trusted information and advice, ensuring assistance for those who need it the most.

They campaign: lobbying decision makers hard in the interests of our community - from inequalities in care, greater support to help us search for a cure and the organ transplants that many need to live longer, not die sooner.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust Registered Charity No. (England and Wales) 1079049, Registered Charity No. (Scotland) SC040196

www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk