Be part of the race against cancer – Join Team Mercy for the Mini Marathon this September

7th August 2014

The Mercy Hospital Foundation invites ladies from Cork and further afield to join Team Mercy for this year’s Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday 28th September, and be part of the race against cancer. Every cent raised will go towards the Mercy Cancer Appeal, improving cancer care services at the Mercy University Hospital.

Last year, Team Mercy raised a massive €20,000 which had a hugely positive impact on cancer care at the Mercy, and all funds raised by Team Mercy this year will help The Mercy Hospital Foundation continue to make strides in cancer care at the Hospital. The Mercy Cancer Appeal aims to raise €2.5 million by 2016 to fund key services and advancements in the treatment of and research into many cancers.

Anyone interested in walking, jogging or running the Mini Marathon is invited to join Team Mercy to help the appeal, and also enjoy fun day out with family, friends or colleagues, followed by an exclusive after-party at the Old Oak with complimentary finger food, refreshments, music and pink feather boas!

In Ireland 30,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed by the end of 2014 and that number is expected to rise to over 40,000 by 2020. For those people in Munster diagnosed with cancer, The Mercy University Hospital will be at the forefront of diagnosis, research, treatment and care.

€1 million is required to fund the development of The Mercy Cancer Care Centre. This centre based on the grounds of the Hospital will provide a quiet, safe place for patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis to come to receive support through their cancer journey.

The Mercy Hospital's Centre for Gastroenterology has been identified as one of the National Bowel Screening Centres and is the Regional Centre for Gastroenterology for Cork and Kerry. According to the National Cancer Registry men and women in Cork City and county are more likely to develop Bowel Cancer than those in any other county. €500,000 is required to support the diagnosis, treatment, and research into Bowel, Oesophageal, Stomach and Pancreatic Cancers at the Hospital.

Deirdre O’Sullivan from Mallow, whose husband, retired Garda Brendan O’Sullivan was diagnosed with Bowel and Liver Cancer on Valentine’s Day this year, is taking part in this year’s Mini Marathon in aid of The Mercy with her daughter and daughter-in-law, and is asking women from all over Cork and further afield to join them this September. She said “Cancer can affect anyone, of any age, and you don’t know when you might need the support that an organisation like The Mercy Hospital Foundation is able to provide thanks to the help of its dedicated supporters.”

She continued “For us, our journey with the Mercy began earlier this year, when my husband Brendan was diagnosed with Bowel and Liver Cancer. Right now Brendan goes into the Mercy every two weeks to undergo chemotherapy. The staff in the Mercy have been a tremendous support, and have really helped us through this difficult journey, and participating in the Mini Marathon is one way to say thank you.”

The Mercy is home to some of the leading cancer and heart specialists in the country and as part of the appeal, €400,000 will also be invested in new research into the causes of some cancers and heart disease. The appeal will also continue to provide funding for the very successful Rapid Access Clinic for patients with cancers of the prostate, kidney, bladder, testes and penis, as well as continued support for cancer patients and their families while being treated at the Hospital.

Deirdre Finn, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Mercy Hospital Foundation added “Our mission is to support the Hospital in delivering the highest quality of patient care by raising funds to support advancements and innovation in the treatment and care of patients at the Mercy Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors, like the ladies who join Team Mercy year in, year out, for the Mini Marathon.”

If you would like to join Team Mercy on Sunday 28th September, simply call (021) 4274076 or visit www.mercyfundraising.ie to register.

END

Return to the Archive News section