20 October 2015

On Sunday July 19th, 636 people participated in the third annual 22km ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk from The Viaduct to Bandon, raising €44,100 the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre at Sheares Street.

 

The ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk, started in memory of Bandon man, Mark Prendergast who lost his battle with testicular cancer in June 2012, is organised by a small group of Mark’s family and friends who are committed to making a difference. Raising funds, raising awareness, and making a difference for cancer patients and their families is the ethos of the dedicated group.

 

With one in three people in Ireland expected to have cancer at some point in their lives, it is likely that we or someone close to us will have the experience of sitting in a consultation room, being given devastating news. The Mercy Hospital Foundation is building a specialised Cancer CARE Centre that will provide a quiet safe place for patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis to come to receive support on their cancer journey, and funds raised through this year’s ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk will go towards the building of this.

 

Speaking at the cheque presentation on Monday 19th October in Little North’s (formerly De Barra’s), Fiona Curran, member of the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ organising committee said “We were thrilled with the success of each year’s ‘Make Your Mark’ walks which have raised a total of almost €160,000 to date. Our aim as a group was to 'Make a Mark on Cancer’ and cancer care in Cork, and every individual who walked, sponsored a walker, made a donation towards the running of the event, or helped out in any way, has a lot to be proud of. We made a Mark… we made a difference!"

 

Damien Prendergast, Mark’s brother and member of the organising committee said “The Cancer CARE Centre which will open next year will help people and their families on their cancer journey.  Since Mark died in 2012 we have raised almost €160,000 and we are ecstatic. Every family affected by Cancer goes on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and it will be great to have a place to go to talk and meet in a non-clinical environment.  Mark enjoyed life making the best of every situation and he would be so proud of what had been achieved.”

 

Carol Crean, also on the organising committee said "We would like to sincerely thank all our sponsors. Without the generous donations and support of Ace Signs and McCarthy Coaches the event would not have been possible. This year the water stops we're sponsored by Caulfield's Supervalu, Dessi Electrical, Lidl Bandon and O’Sullivan’s Centra, Innishannon.”

 

Speaking at the presentation, Sr Eilish McGrath, Board Member of the Mercy Hospital Foundation said “The ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk is a fantastic way for people to remember loved ones lost, or indeed those battling cancer; while simultaneously raising much needed funds, to make a real difference to the lives of patients and their families at The Mercy University Hospital.”

 

Micheal Sheridan, CEO of 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 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 the all those who ‘Make their Mark on Cancer’ year after year.”

 

For further information on how funds raised are used, visit www.mercyfundraising.ie or call (021) 4274076.