Cancer fundraiser has the WOW factor

Women will be taking to the water in Baltimore next week to help a cancer charity.

A series of land-based and sea events in the west Cork port have been planned to support Breakthrough Cancer Research.

The fundraiser, organised by Baltimore Sailing Club, will be held tomorrow week, August 12.

Entitled WOW — Women on the Water for Breakthrough Cancer Research — will see women take to the water in all sorts of craft and boat classes, competing to win coveted prizes and raising funds through their entrance fee. Supporters and friends will help them through sponsorship cards.

The sailing community, working with locals and visitors to Baltimore, will see activity both on land and on sea, making this a “go to” event for families this summer.

While dinghies, currachs, kayaks and even rafts, compete on the water, the fishing and tourism village of Baltimore will be a hive of activity, challenging women — and those who might don their women’s pink gear! — to join in a tug o’ war and other challenges. With a barbecue on the pier to raise funds also, the day will be rounded off with prize-giving at the sailing club’s new clubhouse.

Joan Collins, commodore of Baltimore Sailing Club, said: “Cancer is decimating many families and we need to be relentless in our efforts to support cancer research if future generations are to beat this curse and find new treatment options for cancer — particularly breast, cervical and ovarian cancers.”

Breakthrough Cancer Research, a national fundraising arm of Cork Cancer Research Centre based at University College Cork, has a stellar international reputation in cancer research. Its late founder Professor Gerry O’Sullivan was known to many West Cork people.

“Every cent donated will go directly to Breakthrough,” said its director Orla Dolan, daughter of the late Professor O’Sullivan. She said: “It’s great to see a village like Baltimore take the lead in highlighting the need for cancer research and their support will be very welcome. Our scientists at Cork Cancer Research Centre work to significantly have an impact on the number of people who can survive life-threatening cancers, whether related to the lung, melanoma, breast, head and neck, colorectal, oesophageal, ovarian, or haematological.

“Research programmes funded by us must focus on translating lab discoveries into new treatment opportunities. To this end, we work closely with clinicians in practice all over Ireland and throughout the world so that the research is targeted at finding new options for poor prognosis and incurable cancers.

“We also fund Clinical Trial Nurses who co-ordinate delivery of innovative new treatments for cancer patients referred by their oncologists and surgeons.

“We have had many successes but there is still a long way to go. We are truly humbled by the support we receive in Baltimore, the West Cork area generally, and throughout the villages and towns of Ireland,” she added.

lTo register for participation in the event please call to Baltimore Sailing Club during office hours, including Saturdays and Sundays, or register on the day from 1pm. Adults participating on the water — €25, children €10.

Sponsorship cards can be obtained from Baltimore Sailing Club, or email [e-mail]