'Teddy was a great guy': Cork woman to make final charity climb for late husband

Noreen Daly and supporters are making a final climb of Slievenamon in Co Tipperary in memory of her late husband Teddy Daly

The 2024 Teddy Daly memorial walk at Croagh Patrick. Noreen Daly has called on the public to join the Slievenamon hike one last time on Sunday, April 19. 

A Cork woman who has raised over €190,000 to support pancreatic cancer research in memory of her late husband has invited people to join her in Tipperary for one last mountain fundraiser.

Noreen Daly, along with hundreds of supporters, has climbed Slievenamon in Co Tipperary every year since 2017 in Teddy Daly’s memory.

“Even though I was in the throes of grief, I still believed there was something I could do for others,” she said.

“Climbing the mountain was the only thing I felt I could do for Breakthrough Cancer Research. I always hoped the funds we raised would help researchers find more successful treatment options.”

She said it has been “incredible to see the huge increase in pancreatic research and treatment options” since Teddy died.

Ms Daly previously said: “Teddy was just a great guy. There wasn’t a bad bone in Teddy’s body. He was very caring, easy-going, and handsome inside and out.

“We had a great life together. We thought that we’d grow old together.”

He died from pancreatic cancer in April 2016, aged 43.

“There is no cure for pancreatic cancer,” Ms Daly said.

“But hopefully, with more research, people can buy a bit of time. Teddy was given three weeks to five years. He never gave up hope, ever. He died nine months after being diagnosed.”

Teddy Daly died from pancreatic cancer in April 2016, aged just 43.

The first climb saw over 500 supporters come out with Ms Daly. This then became an annual event, drawing in many among the walkers who themselves had lost a loved one to cancer.

Over the last nine years, the climb and related fundraising events have raised more than €190,000 for pancreatic cancer research.

However, this year’s event will be the final climb. Ms Daly has called on the public to turn out one last time and join her on Sunday, April 19.

There is also a virtual online option for people who cannot travel to Tipperary.

The funds support the work of Cork-based national charity, Breakthrough Cancer Research.

Among the scientists supported by money from the first climbs were Patrick Forde and Dr Kheshwant Gill at University College Cork (UCC).

They were examining the use of electroporation as a potential treatment option for this cancer.

A Breakthrough Cancer Research spokeswoman said the charity’s work includes “helping scientists aiming to develop new approaches to diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer”.

Walkers approaching the summit cairn on Slievenamon. File picture: John G O'Dwyer

This is one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat, she said.

She also said that despite progress in care and research, survival rates remain low. Only an estimated 14% of patients survive to five years.

Work the funds support will include Breakthrough Cancer Research’s new all-Ireland cancer research network pancreatic cancer research programme.

• You can register for the climb here, on the Breakthrough Cancer Research website. It costs €20 for an individual or €50 for a family of four.

• Niamh Griffin, Health Correspondent