Cystic Fibrosis Carwash Fundraiser Set for This Saturday, June 18

This Saturday, June 18, the Menifee Carwash will kick off “Wash Away CF” a fundraising effort for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Customers at the Menifee Carwash, located at 26825 Newport Road, can upgrade to a special customized air freshener called 65 Roses, that has a light rose fragrance, for $1 and the proceeds will benefit the CF Foundation to help fund research to find a cure for the inherited genetic disease that claims the lives of thousands of children and young adults each year.

The new air freshener is named 65 Roses after the nickname given to Cystic Fibrosis when young patients could not pronounce the disease. The car wash scent was developed by Stinger Chemicals in Texas, which underwrote the development cost and is donating a portion of the new scent’s sales to the CF Foundation.

The first 65 Roses air freshener tag features a photo of Taylor Ross, a 10 year old CF patient from Irvine who loves surfing and competing in junior MMA events.

“This is an exciting program for the CF Foundation with so many contributions from wonderful people and organizations,” said Mike Shumard, executive director of the Orange County Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We are excited to share the CF story with more people and know the small change and dollar donations will add up to a significant contribution for research to help ‘wash away CF.’”

“We are honored to support such a worthwhile cause,” said Greg Meier, manager of the Menifee Carwash. “We hope the fragrance of 65 Roses reminds people of the value of each breath, which is something CF patients fight for every day.”

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects 30,000 adults and children in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide. It causes chronic and debilitating lung infections that can lead to premature death. More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the CF gene. About one person in this country dies from CF every day.

With the support of the CF Foundation, there have been dramatic advances in cystic fibrosis research and care. In the 1950s, children born with cystic fibrosis usually did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, the predicted median survival age has risen to more than 37 years.