“Twelve-year-old Ruth Borgeat, from Scartaglin has done something truly wonderful for two worthwhile causes, firstly she donated her ponytail to the *Rapunzel Foundation at a salon in Tralee and then raised funds from this kind deed for Breakthrough Cancer Research,” according to a story in the latter’s website today.
Her act of kindness merited a page in the Breakthrough Cancer Research website today and she was praised for her thoughtfulness.
Ruth, a first year pupil at Castleisland Community College raised €465 which will go directly to the cancer research centre based in UCC and developing treatments for some of the most difficult to treat cancers.
She visited the centre with her proud parents Gerald and Mary and met with principal investigator, Dr Mark Tangney. Dr. Tangney gave them a tour of the laboratory.
“It is always wonderful to meet fundraisers who believe as passionately in our work as we do. To see the lengths Ruth, selflessly went to, to support our work and the Rapunzel Foundation is truly heart-warming.
On behalf of all the team in Breakthrough Cancer Research I want to say a massive thank you to Ruth for her very selfless and kind act, we couldn’t do the work we do without fundraisers like her.We promise to continue our work in developing treatments for poor prognosis cancer, said Dr. Tangney.
There is a long history of altruism in Ruth’s family as her late grand-uncle, the colorful, Cornie Tangney donated his body to medical research on his death in May 1992. Cornie’s remains were finally laid to rest with all the honors his native Scart could muster in July 1994.
If you’re wondering where you heard of Breakthrough Cancer Research before, it’s the charity which Noel O’Connor organizes his annual and growing Castleisland Tractor Run for.
You can get more details on the charity on: http://www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie
*The Rapunzel Foundation is a charitable organization that works to improve the lives of those living with hair loss (alopecia) through fund raising as well as through hair raising.
Hair is raised through the Rapunzel Foundation’s Ponytail campaign, where people commit to growing their hair 14 inches or longer with the view to their hair being sent to help make much needed wigs to improve the lives of those living with the hair loss.