Cancer survivor on €3m quest

A man diagnosed with head and neck cancer 10 years ago will run past the hospital which saved his life next month when he takes part in the Great Limerick Half Marathon.

“It will be emotional, but entirely in a positive way. Every day is a bonus and to come this far is absolutely amazing,” said Liam Ryan, who will pass the Mid-Western Regional Hospital on May 6 when he undertakes the milestone half marathon.

Liam, who lives in Ballina, Co Tipperary, was diagnosed with a massive cancer tumour in the middle of his head in 1992. He was given very little chance of survival.

Earlier this year Liam set up the Liam Ryan Cancer Appeal and his intention is to raise €3m for cancer charities over the next few years by running three marathons — one in Ireland, one in England and one in the US — as well as a whole host of running events all over Ireland.

This week, after a meeting with oncologist Professor Gupta and Lisa Tracey of the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation, Liam is going to dedicate all of the proceeds from his Limerick run to the foundation.

“I was a runner before I got sick. My recovery had to start from scratch, right down to learning to walk, talk, eat, drink — everything again.

“Radiotherapy really takes it out of you so I was tired for five or six years,” Liam said.

Throughout his long and difficult recovery, the Co Westmeath native always thought that to take part in his first marathon after cancer would be a monumental moment.

Sept 1 has been pencilled in as D-Day when Liam will attempt the Dingle marathon.

The Limerick half marathon at just over 13 miles is part of his training towards completing the full marathon.

“It’s the 10th anniversary — I was 40 when I got cancer and I am 50 this year so everything is pointing to this year.

“The fact that I am doing the first event of the appeal in Limerick is just great because that is the only Irish hospital that I am connected with,” Liam said.

“It’s lovely that we have come together 10 years on and I can give something back. Without Limerick I wouldn’t be here today because my consultant John Fenton signposted me to Liverpool straight away and it was the only hospital in Europe really which could have taken my case.”

Liam underwent a life-threatening 12-hour operation, followed by seven weeks of extensive chemo-radiotherapy. During his treatment he also got bacterial meningitis twice and a deep vein thrombosis, all of which nearly killed him.

* Details of Liam’s story and his appeal are on his website at liamryancancerappeal.weebly.com