Cork hurling legend Joe Deane officially launched the 2019 ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ Charity walk which is set to return for a 7th year on Sunday, July 21st. The walk will raise vital funds for the Mercy Cancer Care Centre and Psycho-Oncology services.

The popular charity walk will once again remember Bandon man Mark Prendergast, who sadly lost his battle with testicular cancer in June 2012. Following his passing, Mark’s family and friends decided to do something special to honour and remember Mark which led to the inaugural ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk in 2013.

The 22km walk will see participants make their way from The Viaduct on the N71 to the Town Hall in Bandon. Complimentary buses generously provided by event sponsor, McCarthy’s Coaches, will depart from Kelleher’s Builder Providers from 9am to drop walkers to the Viaduct to begin their walk. There will also be a starting point in Innishannon for those who want a shorter option, starting there at 12.30pm. Details are available now at www.makeyourmark.ie.

Commenting at the recent launch, Cork’s former All-star winning hurler Joe Deane, who had his own battle with cancer in 2006 said, “The ‘Make your Mark on Cancer’ walk is a fantastic initiative which I’m delighted to support. Mark Prendergast’s family and friends should be very proud of what they have achieved to date from raising vital funds and most importantly awareness. Following my cancer diagnosis in 2006, I witnessed first hand why these specialist cancer services are so important. It was certainly not the path I envisaged I’d be on and I’m very thankful for the support I received to be here today to help raise awareness and funds.”

Funds raised from the charity walk will go towards the Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s new Cancer CARE Centre which will support people diagnosed with cancer on their journey. Funds raised will also go towards the Mercy University Hospital’s Psycho-Oncology service for patients who require professional help to overcome disabling psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression following a cancer diagnosis. Marymount University Hospital and Hospice will also benefit from the funds raised and will receive €5,000 following the walk.

Commenting ahead of the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk on July 21st, Mark’s brother, Damien Prendergast, Chairman of the organising committee said “We are very proud of what the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk has achieved over the past six years. Little did we know when we first started organising the walk in honour of my brother Mark in 2013 that we would go on to raise almost €300,000 to date. The support each and every year has been phenomenal and we are delighted to raise vital funds for cancer services at the Mercy University Hospital. We hope as many people as possible can join us on July 21st.”

The main sponsors of this year’s ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk are Ace Signs and McCarthy Coaches. The ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk refreshment stops are sponsored by Caulfields Supervalu Bandon, Dessie Electrical, TSB Bandon, O’Sullivan’s Centra Innishannon and ABP Bandon. A number of local businesses including Bracken Foam Fabricators, Hahnel Industries, Donpack Packaging & Logistics and Patrick Horgan Tyre Services have also committed their support to the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk and the Mercy Hospital Foundation. Official media partner for ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ is C103FM.

The walk on July 21st is open to people of all ages and abilities. To register log on to www.makeyourmark.ie or call 086 4542132.

To receive your sponsorship card email info@makeyourmark.ie or call 086 4542132.

For more information on the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre visit www.mercyfundraising.ie.