Iowa Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to Host Seventh Annual 65 Roses Gala

West Des Moines (Nov. 8, 2024) – The Iowa chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF Foundation) will be hosting the seventh annual 65 Roses Gala sponsored by Boesen the Florist, Exec1 Aviation, Morgan Stanley – Betsy & Bryan Boesen, White Willow Events, and Willow on Grand. The event aims to raise funds to find a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system of over 40,000 Americans which often results in chronic lung infections, hospitalizations, failure to thrive, and a host of other lifelong complications.

The event will be honoring Dr. Michael Welsh of the University of Iowa. Dr. Welsh has been a pioneer in CF research for over 30 years and is responsible for discovering the defect caused by the cystic fibrosis mutation, resulting in lifelong complications. His work has provided an understanding of how to treat the underlying cause of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis more directly and has resulted in drugs and therapies that are delivering longer, healthier lives for the majority of those with CF. In the never-ending pursuit to find a cure, Dr. Welsh and his team have now turned their sights toward genetic-level therapies, which would help provide treatment for 100% of patients. Because of Dr. Welsh, those born with CF today can expect a life beyond that of a child. What was once a juvenile disease, has now seen its population grow so that over half of all those in the world with CF are now adults, something previous generations could only dream of. Median life expectancy is increasing, the quality of those years is improving, and hope is growing.

The work Dr. Welsh has done has recently extended beyond cystic fibrosis. With a better understanding of the treatment of genetic diseases, his research has served as a foundation for the exploration of treatment for other diseases such as Diabetes and Sickle Cell.

Since its inception, the 65 Roses Gala, co-chaired by Tom and Patty Boesen, and Tim and Taylor Boesen, has raised over $750,000 in a pursuit to find a cure and one day make CF stand for “cure found.”

Cure Sponsors include Gershman Mortgage and Home Team Iowa. The event is being held Friday, November 8^th at Willow on Grand.

https://events.cff.org/65RosesGalaIA
 
About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The CF Foundation funds more cystic fibrosis research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of CF Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the CF Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, please visit: Iowa Chapter | Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.