This year’s Labor Day
is brought to you by Miles
for Cystic Fibrosis, an Atlanta-based charity that supports organizations that benefit local families affected by Cystic Fibrosis, and scientific research aimed to control and cure this life-shortening disease.
If you are a runner in the Atlanta area, you will recognize Miles
for Cystic Fibrosis as the group that organizes 65ROSES,
a team of runners who have participated in the annual Georgia Marathon
and Half-Marathon since its inception in 2007.
Here’s some more information about who we are, what we do, and why we do
it:
Team 65ROSES?
In 2006, two pediatric pulmonologists, cystic fibrosis physicians from Atlanta
who were training together for the Chicago Marathon had an idea. The race was
only a few weeks away when they discussed doing something special for their CF
patients. Their initial conversation, held during a training run, marked the
start of 65ROSES, a team of people dedicated to walking or running
a half marathon or marathon.
On March 25, 2007, over 100 runners and walkers, including cystic fibrosis family
members, CF caregivers, and one person with CF, wearing Carolina blue 65ROSES team
shirts, raced through Atlanta neighborhoods in the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon
and Half Marathon to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis, support people with
the disease, and connect with family members along the course.
The 65ROSES story has continued, as we field larger teams each
year for the annual Publix Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon in March, continue
to raise precious dollars for research and to support families (over $275,000
in five years), and venture into new event management – like the Big Peach
Sizzler 10K – all to help fight the debilitating disease, Cystic Fibrosis.
ABOUT THOSE WE SUPPORT
Donations raised by team members, volunteers and supporters will be distributed
in equal measure to two charitable organizations vital to the cystic fibrosis
community …
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
For more than fifty years the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,
a nonprofit, donor-supported organization, has been to assure the development
of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality
of life for those with the disease. Click
here to go to the site.
Cystic Fibrosis – Reaching Out Foundation
Families affected by cystic fibrosis have been supported by the Cystic
Fibrosis-Reaching Out Foundation since 1999. The Atlanta-based nonprofit organization
provides financial support to CF families struggling with the cost of medications,
nutritional supplements, utility bills or other necessities to live well and
stay healthy. Click
here to go to the site.
ABOUT 65ROSES
Why “65 Roses?” In 1965 a little boy with cystic fibrosis couldn’t
pronounce the name of his illness. In his four year old world he had something
he called “65 roses,” and since then his simple mispronunciation
has come to stand for much more than a large bouquet of beautiful flowers.
Over the years the cystic fibrosis community has adopted the phrase for fundraisers … and
just for fun.
