12 May 2016

With runners now registered and poised for the Cork City Marathon, which takes place on Monday, June 6th, the Mercy Hospital Foundation is inviting both individuals and teams to join #TeamMercy and be part of the race against cancer in Munster.

One man who has joined #TeamMercy is Wes Dennehy from Ballyvolane, whose father Michael, was treated successfully for stomach cancer three years ago, under the care of Mr. Tom Murphy, Consultant in General and Oesophago-gastric Surgery, and his team in The Mercy University Hospital. Michael, who turned 70 last month, is now in remission and doing well having undergone an operation to remove his stomach.

Funds raised through this year’s Cork City Marathon 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.

Seasoned runner Wes, who is a member of Watergrasshill Athletics Club and is about to undertake his third Cork City Marathon, is urging people to run the marathon for the Mercy Hospital Foundation this June Bank Holiday. He said “The support, care and understanding that my father received from the staff at The Mercy, on what was the toughest journey of his life was phenomenal. He was looked after so well. It wasn’t just dad that they looked after though, they also helped our whole family through it, as they do for families from all over Munster, day in, day out; that’s why I’m urging people, whether it’s their first or 40th marathon, to join me in running Cork City Marathon on June 6th in aid of the Mercy Hospital Foundation.”

Deirdre Finn, Campaigns & Community Manager, Mercy Hospital Foundation said “Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University 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 Wes Dennehy.”

Deirdre continued “Like Wes, you too can go that extra mile for us by running the Cork City Marathon on June 6th, the Women’s Mini Marathon on September 25th, or indeed any running event over the coming months, and changing lives in a meaningful way.”

Registered participants of the Cork City Marathon who would like to support the Mercy Hospital Foundation can log on to www.mercyfundraising.ie or call (021) 4274076 for a Mercy t-shirt and sponsorship cards.