Difficulty breathing, wheeziness, persistent coughs and lung infections – cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lifelong disease with no known cure, and in Australia one baby is born every four days with the condition.

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) cares for over 250 children with CF each year. The management of the condition is lifelong, with frequent hospital visits for medical treatments and physiotherapy.

When Kirsty and Stephen Bowness’s two children Liam and Grace were diagnosed with CF, they wanted to do anything they could to help find a cure for the condition.

After months searching for the right fundraising idea, Grace came up with it effortlessly. Mistakenly calling their condition “65 roasters”, Grace’s comment stuck and the couple decided to give Grace her 65 roasters in the form of The Big Roast for Cystic Fibrosis.

In its sixth year, The Big Roast is accomplishing big things having raised over $150,000 for the cause to date for cystic fibrosis research at the RCH.

“We have been completely overwhelmed by the astounding support of our local community, as well as supporters across Australia,” said Kirsty.

Join in the fundraising efforts for 2021 by donating to the cause, or host your own roast at home to help find a cure for CF.