Cancer research set for €300,000 from charity runs
All the money raised is used to fund projects researching a wide range of cancers in different hospitals and universities around Ireland.
Efforts are ongoing in Ireland in identifying the risk factors for various cancers so that the disease may be prevented.
Researchers are also investigating ways of identifying the cellular mechanisms of cancer in order to unravel the mystery of why some cells behave normally and some become cancerous.
And work is continuing to find the most effective combination of therapies in treating cancer.
The Irish Cancer Society granted just over 2 million to cancer research projects in Ireland for 2004 and has committed a similar amount for next year.
According to the National Cancer Registry around 21,000 people in Ireland will develop cancer this year and 7,800 people will die, making it the largest single cause of death.
In 1980 a young Canadian, Terry Fox, whose right leg was amputated because of malignant tumour, set out on his Marathon of Hope.
With one artificial limb, he ran almost 3,500 miles over 143 days across Canada the equivalent of a marathon a day. He raised over $24 million for cancer research.
Sadly, the 21-year-old runner died before his journey could be completed but his spirit lives on in hundreds of Terry Fox Runs held in 50 countries around the globe, making the annual Terry Fox Run the world's largest single-day fundraiser for cancer research.
Last year, the Terry Fox Runs around Ireland raised €277,583.
This year, Terry Fox Runs are taking place in 80 locations across the country but participants don't have to run, said James Cassidy, the society's national fundraising coordinator.
"You can walk, cycle, skateboard or push a bed it's a fun event for all the family and a fun way for all of us to help in winning the race against cancer," he said.
You can get more information by calling the Terry fox Run Registration Hotline on CallSave 1850 606060 or visit www.cancer.ie.
