Last year over 260 ladies joined #TeamMercy for the Women’s Mini Marathon, raising a phenomenal €23,882 for the race against cancer. This year’s Mini Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 27th, and the Mercy Hospital Foundation is now inviting ladies from Cork and further afield to be part of their biggest team to date.
One family joining #TeamMercy, is the Grace family from Cobh, who went through the cancer journey at The Mercy, losing their mother Deirdre to cancer in March this year. Deirdre’s daughter Mary said “When she got the news that she had cancer, Mammy received treatment for it and responded well to the chemotherapy. Unfortunately after Christmas it was discovered that the cancer had progressed. Of course it was a terrible blow but the care she received under Dr Power and his team was exceptional. Mammy got wonderful care at The Mercy and the doctors and the staff are second to none; so now our family, with more than 40 grandchildren, along with our friends, is gearing up for the Mini Marathon in aid of The Mercy Cancer Appeal and are encouraging others to do the same.”
Every cent raised will go towards the Mercy Cancer Appeal, which aims to raise €1.5 million by 2017 to fund key services and advancements in the treatment of, and research into many cancers; and in particular The Mercy Cancer CARE Centre, which will provide a quiet, safe place for patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis to come to receive support through their cancer journey.
Erica Mulvihill, Cancer Nurse Specialist at The Mercy University Hospital explains the difference funds will make: “Being a nurse dealing with cancer patients you are their advocate, you are their voice and their guiding hand when adversity strikes. The Cancer CARE Centre at Sheares Street will be hugely beneficial, and as cancer nurses, it will aid our practice immensely at the time of a devastating diagnosis. It will be a safe haven in comfortable, non-intimidating surroundings, where privacy and dignity are paramount; a non-clinical environment where patients can sit with family and nurses and go through the news that they have been diagnosed with cancer.”
Any ladies and wannabe “ladies” interested in walking, jogging or running the Mini Marathon are assured a fun day out with family, friends or colleagues, followed by an after-party at the Old Oak with complimentary finger food, cocktails, music and pink feather boas! Anyone who raises over €150 in sponsorship and returns this by Friday 16th October will be in with a chance to win a €60 voucher for Luigi Malones Restaurant.
Deirdre Finn, Community & 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 hundreds of ladies who come out year after year and take part in the Mini Marathon as part of #TeamMercy.”
If you would like to join #TeamMercy on Sunday, September 27th, call (021) 4274076 or visit www.mercyfundraising.ie to register.
