Cystic Fibrosis Ireland Calls on Government to Honour its Commitment for New CF In-Patient Unit at Beaumont Hospital Amid Increasing Costs Caused by Delays

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) has pleaded with the Government to give the long-awaited final go-ahead for the new 20-bed cystic fibrosis (CF) in-patient unit at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital. CFI is concerned that delays are causing an increase in building costs for the unit and come against the backdrop of the continued uncertainty on the impact of the National Children’s Hospital budgetary overrun. The call came at the launch of CFI’s annual 65 Roses Day fundraising appeal which is taking place on Friday 12^th April when people will be urged to lend their support to the CF cause by buying a Purple Rose for €2 or donating online at 65RosesDay.ie.

The launch in Dublin’s Herbert Park saw RTÉ’s Keelin Shanley and GAA commentator Joe Brolly swap their day jobs to joinDublin flower stall traders, Gerry and Mags Draper, as purple rose flower-sellers. On hand to lend their support were Alfie Dardis, age 6, from Stepaside, who has CF, and his best friend, Ava Casserly, age 6, from Dundrum. 65 Roses Day derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words “cystic fibrosis”, with funds going to provide a range of much-needed services for people with CF and their families.