Town Starts '65 Roses' Project In Honor Of 5-Year-Old With CF

SMITHTOWN, NY - The Town of Smithtown planted the first of 65 rose bushes in honor of a local 5-year-old with Cystic Fibrosis.

On Thursday, town officials and community leaders joined together with the Cianci family to dedicate the first rose bush in honor of Lucas Cianci in front of Town Hall.

The dedication ceremony kicked off the month long project to plant all 65 roses with the help of several community organizations throughout the town for Cystic Fibrosis awareness.

Lucas’ mother Emily Cianci held back tears holding onto her daughter Zoe and grandmother Debbi Haupert, a Cystic Fibrosis awareness advocate, as Lucas was presented with a surprise gift -- a backpack filled with superhero toys and a kindle fire to keep him occupied while undergoing his routine treatments.

The tradition began in 1965 when a 4-year-old boy heard his mother, Mary G. Weiss, calling every community group she could reach to advocate for Cystic Fibrosis research after learning that her three children were diagnosed with the disease.

After hearing the name over and over, the boy pronounced his diagnosis to his mother as "65 Roses."

Today, “65 Roses” has become an heartfelt reminder of the many young children this disease effects.

With every rose bush planted in Smithtown, the town will post photos with the number of roses planted to date, along with important health information on Cystic Fibrosis.

The ceremony was lead by Supervisor Ed Wehrheim led the ceremony, which was attended by several town officials and local groups.

"We are grateful for the local community groups including our chambers and civics who are here with us today who have committed to helping us plant 65 rose bushes by the months end," Wehrheim said. "I would like to thank a very special guest here with us today; Lucas Cianci. Lucas, as you get older, just remember who else has genetic mutations...Superheroes! And we are honored to dedicate the first rose bush to our Superhero."

Residents who wish to get involved with the project, can post a photo of their newly planted rose bush on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #65RosesSmithtown or send in a picture via email at spio@tosgov.com now through May 31st.

Photos: Town of Smithtown