As the events director for Women's Council of Realtors Fredericksburg, I selected the Great Strides Walk as our community service project for 2025.  You may be wondering how I came to be aware of this organization and why I chose it for our project this year.

     You may hear the reference "65 Roses" associated with Cystic Fibrosis and wonder what is the connection:

Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1965 after learning that all three of her little boys had CF. Her duty was to call every civic club, social, and service organization seeking financial support for the mission. Mary’s 4-year-old son, Richard (Ricky), listened closely to his mother as she made each call.

After several calls, Richard came into the room and told his Mom, “I know what you are working for.” Mary was dumbstruck because Richard did not know what she was doing, nor did he know that he had cystic fibrosis.  With some trepidation, Mary asked, “What am I working for, Ricky?” He answered, “You are working for 65 Roses.” Mary was speechless.  He could not see the tears running down Mary’s cheeks as she stammered, “Yes, Ricky, I’m working for 65 Roses.”

I became friends with the youngest, Anthony Weiss, when I was living in West Palm Beach attending college.  We are still friends today and it is for him that I have passionately supported this organization.  I understand how debilitating this disease can be to a young person's day to day life and many do not live to see life past the age of 50.  This was the case for both of Anthony's older brothers.  Each new day is a blessing for Anthony as your donations allow the research to continue to one day find a cure.

By donating to the Women's Council of Realtors Fredericksburg fundraising goal, you have the power to advance the research and science needed to drive our shared dream forward – a cure for everyone with CF.