Noel O’Connor, from Dulague here in Castleisland lost a lung to cancer in 1999 and survived to tell the tale. Now, as he vowed if he survived that challenging period of his life, he’s giving back.
Noel who fundraises for Breakthrough Cancer Research has completed his third Castleisland Vintage Run, which took place on Sunday, June 8th from the Halfway House Bar in Ballymacelligott. While Vintage Tractors make up the main body of the cavalcade on these days, vintage cars are fast becoming popular and some old motor bikes are also taking part.
Noel has raised €4,800 in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research, with an overall total from the past three years of €15,700 for Cancer Research. He is already looking forward to 2015, with the date of Sunday, June 5th 2015 firmly pencilled in his diary.
This event is growing bigger and better each year, with Moss Trant of the Kerry Vintage Club joining Noel and presenting trophies for the best restored vehicles on show at the event.
Noel is calling all vintage enthusiasts from tractors, cars and motor bikes to add Sunday June 5th 2015 to their diaries to make it the biggest and best year yet.
“We are delighted and honoured to have Noel and his team run such a fantastic event for our charity. We hope everyone continues to support the event and to help Noel grow it again in 2015, I’m already looking forward to seeing the vintage vehicles on show, roll on 2015,” said Dr Declan Sodden, principal investigator and general manager of the Cancer Research Centre
Breakthrough Cancer Research’s work is vital because 35,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually in Ireland, and despite significant increases in the numbers of people surviving cancer and treatment options available, 8,500 people will die because the treatments to save their lives have not been discovered, yet! Breakthrough Cancer Research funds the efficient and effective development of new treatments for cancer. They work to significantly impact the number of people who can survive this disease. Research programmes funded by Breakthrough Cancer Research must focus on translating lab discoveries into new treatment opportunities. To this end they work closely with clinicians in practice all over Ireland so that their research is targeted at finding new options for poor prognosis and incurable cancers.
Breakthrough Cancer Research was established as an official fundraising body for the National Research Programmes administered by Cork Cancer Research Centre. It builds on their history of over 15 years of research into cancer leading to more than 5 clinical trials and aims to better reflect the national and international impact of their work. It exists to inspire and enable financial support from the community for exceptional research leading to more effective treatments for patients in Ireland and beyond.
Monies raised through Breakthrough Cancer Research are used to support focused research programmes, directly fund scientists and purchase laboratory consumables. It will enhance facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and ensure that all cancer patients throughout Ireland have the opportunity to access the most up to date and effective treatment for their disease.
There is hope and that hope is in research.
