Sixty-five roses for cystic fibrosis

CADILLAC - Call it a bouquet of love.

The Cadillac Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hoping to have a rosy reception during its inaugural 65 Roses Dinner Dance on Feb. 6.

Sue Mellema, foundation member, said the dinner/dance fund-raiser is an opportunity for couples to dress up and do something special.

"It's close to Valentine's Day and it should be something fun," Mellema said. "There are not a lot of opportunities for couples to dress up in Cadillac." 

The event received its name from a story. Mellema said a 3- or 4-year-old with cystic fibrosis who mistakenly thought his mother was saying "65 roses."

One Tustin family knows firsthand what it is like to have a family member with cystic fibrosis.

Toby and Lisa Bannon's daughter Ally, 3, has the genetic disease and they have been involved with foundation since she was born.

"Every day she has to take special medicine every morning and she has to have a special enzymes every time she eats unless what she has is clear in color like water or apple juice," Toby Bannon said. "Every evening she has to do a nebulizer and has chest therapy at least twice a day."

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food.

Toby Bannon said cystic fibrosis fund-raisers like the 65 Roses Dinner/Dance are unique because 98 percent of the money raised goes to research for medicine and treatments, not administration. Bannon also said people who attend will not only be helping a good cause but should have a good time.

"There will be a silent auction for artwork, dinners, and movies. It should be a pretty nice evening," Toby Bannon said.