Superheroes join forces for Crumlin run

TWO years ago, Adelina Corigliano’s parents weren’t sure if she’d be alive for her 10th birthday.

But yesterday the bubbly little girl from Whitegate in Co Cork, who turned 10 on Wednesday, was all smiles as she helped launch a new fundraising event for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, which helped her beat cancer.

Brave Adelina, who has been dubbed one of Crumlin’s very own “superheroes”, will take part in the first Superhero Fun Run for the hospital’s Children’s Cancer Fund at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork at 10.30am on Saturday, September 18.

Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favourite superhero and to walk or run 5km.

Money raised will help fund vital research into neuroblastoma, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children, and help refurbish Crumlin’s St John’s cancer ward.

Adelina fell from her bike two years ago and bumped her head. When the lump didn’t go away, her parents, Pasquale and Lynda, took her to a surgeon to remove it.

But they were shocked when tests revealed it was cancerous. Lynda said the diagnoses came out of the blue.

Two years of intensive chemotherapy followed, at both Crumlin and the Mercy University Hospital, with Adelina now in remission.

St John’s clinical nurse manager, Teresa Slevin, said her staff witness such epic struggles every day.

“Our patients battling against all odds against cancerous cells, our doctors and nurses arming and equipping them in their war, and families and friends at the rear supporting them,” she said.

She encouraged people to take part in the run and “stand with our heroes”.

Lynda will also take part in the fun run and said: “For one day, I want to show them how much I appreciate the care they have given Adelina. They were just fantastic.”

The fundraising target for runners is €100 per adult or €150 per family. Children enter for free.

* You can support the fun run by contacting 1890 507 508 or log on to www.cmrf.org.