Western Australians are being called upon to make a difference this Friday May 29, as Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA) marks its annual 65 Roses Day, the one day of the year dedicated to supporting people living with cystic fibrosis (CF).
65 Roses Day in WA began 18 years ago, initially selling around 2,000 roses. Last year, an incredible 26,000 roses were sold. In 2026, CFWA hopes to sell 28,000 roses across the state.
More than 400 Western Australian adults and children live with the life-threatening, incurable disease. CF is a rare recessive genetic condition that affects every organ in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas. It causes a build-up of thick, sticky mucus that can become infected, leading to permanent lung damage and, in some cases, the need for a lung transplant.
The condition’s name is derived from the cysts and scarring, referred to as fibrosis, that are gradually caused to the pancreas over the sufferer’s lifetime.
Thanks to advances in care and treatment, the outlook and quality of life for most people with CF has never been better, but these changes have also brought new challenges. The CF community is ageing, which brings increasingly complex needs and emerging comorbidities.
Nine-year-old Roleystone resident Avaleigh Gurney is one such individual living with the condition, who is very excited to see the outcome of 65 Roses Day.
Speaking on behalf of her daughter, Teegan Gurney explained the challenges of Avaleigh’s condition.
“In the last few years, since she has been on modulator drug Trikafta, she has been amazing. She can do everything all the other kids are doing. We do physio once a day with her nebulisers and she takes quite a bit of medication. Aside from that, she is thriving and it has been a few years since hospital admissions. The first few years of her life we had hospital admissions every four to six months, till she was about three or four years old,” she said.
“Each day she takes around 30 tablets, and these are a mix of Creon, salt and Trikafta.”
Ms Gurney said she and her daughter will be keenly taking part in the day’s activities.
“Avaleigh goes to Maida Vale Primary School, where I work. Just like last year on 65 Roses Day, we will sell roses at the school before class, and then afterwards, if there are any left. All the kids will be wearing red for the day.
“This day is incredibly meaningful to our family, as it not only helps educate others in our school and wider community, but also makes Avaleigh feel proud, included, and celebrated. By setting up a rose stall at her school, we invite students, teachers, parents, and community members to come together, show their support and help spread awareness, one rose at a time.”
However, unlike Avaleigh, some individuals suffering from CF are not able to tolerate the treatments due to side effects.
CFWA CEO Lisa Bayakly says decades of research are now delivering truly life‑changing therapies.
“Five years ago, only a few West Australians had compassionate access to new‑era treatments. Now, around 80 per cent of our community are benefiting from them,” Ms Bayakly said.
“The awareness, advocacy and lobbying work undertaken by CFWA has played an important role in increasing access to these treatments. The landscape is changing and that’s incredibly positive.
“However, young people and adults are still juggling demanding healthcare for CF and co-existing conditions like CF-related diabetes. In addition, with improved life expectancy comes new challenges. Young people diagnosed with CF are now planning for futures once thought impossible, considering careers, superannuation, home ownership and retirement planning.
“Whilst the outlook for most people diagnosed with CF is the best it’s ever been, there is still more to do, and as life expectancy improves, we must adapt our services to meet these changing needs.
“Funds raised through 65 Roses Day allow us to provide practical resources and personalised advice and care to support people through their CF journey and changing needs as they age. Every rose we sell represents hope.”
All those interested in supporting this undertaking should visit the following link, which includes a plethora of different ways to get involved, from big to small: https://fundraise.cfwa.org.au/event/65-roses-day-2026.
