Comedian Alan Shortt and race walker Alex Wright put best feet forward for cancer charity
The pair will be among hundreds taking part in the fourth annual ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk from the The Viaduct to Bandon on Sunday, July 17, in aid of The Mercy Cancer Appeal.
The 22km walk, established in memory of Cork 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 raising funds and awareness for cancer patients and their families from all over Munster.
Funds raised from this year’s event will go towards the cost of developing the Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s new Cancer CARE Centre, which is expected to cost over €1m.
The facility will provide a place close to MUH where people diagnosed with cancer, and their families, can access a range of supports through their cancer journey.
Monies raised will also be used to buy iPads for St Therese’s Ward.
The iPad is playing an important role in the cancer treatment setting in many hospitals around the world.
The iPads will be preloaded with books, games, popular news, entertainment and newspaper apps, as well as a full library of music and movies and information about all aspects of cancer.
They will be made available to all patients and their family members during patient visits.
“Many patients can spend up to six hours in an infusion chair, with limited mobility.
“Patients currently have access to a television and newspapers in the Day Unit, but this is an extra way to help entertain patients and pass the time. We hope that it will make the time in treatment go faster for patients,” said Micheál Sheridan, CEO of the Mercy Hospital Foundation.
More than 630 people participated in the charity walk last July, raising €44,100 for the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s Cancer CARE Centre, bringing the total raised since its inception to almost €160,000.
Mark’s widow, Fiona Curran, who is helping to organise the walk, said they are very proud of what they’ve achieved over the last three years.
“We have donated money to St Therese’s oncology ward, the Rapid clinic and the Testicular Cancer Awareness Programme. We are asking all our supporters to make an extra effort this year to ‘Make a Mark on Cancer’ in Cork,” she said.
- www.makeyourmark.ie or call 086-4542132.
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