By Jessica Anstice
In honour of Cystic Fibrosis Month, a Nar Nar Goon North woman is spreading awareness of the life-threatening disorder across her social media platforms.
Businesswoman Kirsten Trewarn had big plans for 2020 pre-coronavirus pandemic.
When the virus broke out, she realised the isolation and social distancing rules would halt the groundwork she needed to set up her business venture.
She then came across a post online from Cystic Fibrosis Community Care announcing that it was moving from 65 Roses Month – an annual national fundraising and awareness initiative – to Cystic Fibrosis Month.
Ordinarily, the purpose of 65 Roses Month was to sell fresh roses throughout the month of May to raise awareness and essential funds to extend and improve the quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis.
But due to the current global situation, all fundraising and raising awareness will be moved online.
The ’65 Roses’ story dates back to 1965 when a four-year-old heard the name of his disease for the first time and pronounced cystic fibrosis as 65 Roses.
Today, 65 Roses is a term often used by young children with cystic fibrosis to pronounce the name of their disease.
“In 2016 and 17 when I was in years 11 and 12 I organised the fundraisers at Pakenham Secondary College,” she explained.
“This is how I became aware of the condition as a past student who has cystic fibrosis started the 65 Roses fundraiser in 2015.”
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes the body to produce thick and sticky mucus and can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas.
“With the current climate of Covid-19, people with serious health concerns, such as cystic fibrosis, are forced to be more cautious than the rest of us, as they are at a much higher risk,” she said.
“Although it is harder to get involved in fundraisers and raise money the way we usually would, it’s these times that they need the assistance more than ever, which is why I think it’s so important that we all do our bit to help.”
Ms Trewarn will be hosting virtual challenges involving anything ‘65’ related, as well as sharing a link to Cystic Fibrosis Community Care’s online rose garden.
“After realising that schools, businesses and organisations that usually fundraise for cystic fibrosis during May would all be working and learning from home, I wanted to do what I could to help,” Ms Trewarn said.
“So I launched my new business, Cupid’s Trail, with the sole focus being to volunteer my time and efforts by posting weekly challenges on Facebook and Instagram, as well as sharing where they can get involved in donating to their virtual rose garden.”
Her online activities will include receiving 65 shares on a Facebook post that spreads awareness for cystic fibrosis and listing six things she is grateful for on her Instagram story and tagging five friends to do the same.
She will also share a collaborative list of 65 random acts of kindness on Facebook and encourage the community to share photos of places where they have spotted the number 65.
