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The Significance of the Rose
When we chose Rose for Gianna's middle name we
were not thinking about CF. Since then we have found out
how relevant it is. The story goes like this:
Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1955 after learning that her three
little boys had Cystic Fibrosis. Her duty was to call every civic club,
social and service organization seeking financial support for CF
research. Mary's four year old son, Richard, listened closely to his
mother as she made each call. After several calls, Richard came into the
room and told his mom, "I know what you are working for."
Mary was dumbstruck because Richard
did not know what she was doing, nor did he know he had Cystic Fibrosis.
With some trepidation, Mary posed the question back to Richard,
"What am I working for, Richard?"
"You are working for '65
Roses'," he answered so sweetly. Mary was speechless. She went over
to him and tenderly pressed his tiny body to hers. He could not see the
tears running down Mary's cheeks as she stammered, "Yes, Richard,
I'm working for '65 Roses'."
This legend has been popularized by
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (USA) in the names of fund-raising events
(e.g., Sixty-Five Roses Dance). But making it easier to say doesn't make
Cystic Fibrosis any easier to live with.....
The ugly fact is Cystic Fibrosis is the number
one genetic killer of children and young adults in America today. The
"65 Roses" story has captured the hearts and imaginations of all who
have heard it. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has
become a symbol of the fight against Cystic Fibrosis.
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