65 Roses to help give hope for Bunbury’s Oliver Drinan

Bunbury mother of three Jade Drinan hopes for one thing for her seven-year-old son Oliver — that he will outlive her.

“I want to see my son grow up into a man, have his own family and beat that life expectancy age. I want to die before him.”

Oliver was born with meconium ileus, an early sign of cystic fibrosis, and spent his first three months of life in intensive care.

Brother to Delilah, 9, and Pippa, 1, Oliver has to take about 40 tablets each day, as well as have daily physio and nebuliser treatments in order to stay as healthy as possible.

Now seven years old, his life expectancy is just three more decades, most people with the genetic condition living to an average age of 37 years.

“We really need a cure,” Mrs Drinan said.

“In the past few years, there’s been amazing breakthroughs with drugs. But we need a cure.”

On Friday — 65 Roses Day — the Drinan family will set up stalls at the Bunbury Forum, Bunbury Centrepoint and Dalyellup shopping centres to raise funds and awareness for people living with cystic fibrosis.

“He’s had a few hospital admissions for some treatment, but he’s really happy-go-lucky kid who’s the most resilient person I know,” Mrs Drinan said.

“Oliver has handled his disease really well. So we wanted to get on board and sell roses to help raise awareness and funds for research.”

The month of May is recognised globally as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and Friday 27 May will mark the 13th annual Cystic Fibrosis WA fundraiser.