Great Pink Run
Breast Cancer Ireland is looking for your help to turn the globe pink this October.
The pink tribe, along with Glanbia and the Joe Duffy Group, will be joining forces to raise vital funds for breast cancer research.
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Grab your trainers, round up your friends and family and on October 16th & 17th get out and track your kilometres.
Whether you are walking, jogging, toddling, wheeling or running, the goal is to collectively travel the circumference of the globe, a whole 40,700km!
Registrations for the event are open now on www.greatpinkrun.ie.
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All proceeds from the weekend will help to fund research, good breast health education and nationwide awareness programmes for Breast Cancer Ireland.
Consistent and intensive breast cancer research is vital in advancing a cure to what can be a devastating disease.
This year's funding will be focused on two specific areas;
- Continued investment into metastatic disease research, an ever challenging area in need of significant support.
- Investment in driving progression and speed of scientific discovery from research settings into clinical trials.
Most importantly, your fundraising will go towards helping real-life people like Claire.
Claire's story
Claire was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in August 2019. She found a lump while on holiday in Portugal in May with her husband and 18-month-old son.
"I was 29 at the time and while I panicked to begin with, I brushed it to the back of my mind thinking "I'm too young".
Claire was also pregnant with her second son at the time. However it was a strange dream that finally gave her the push to go and get checked.
"I dreamt that a lady who I had worked with- who had had breast cancer- was walking me through a hospital as though she was "showing me the ropes". I woke up the next day and went straight to my GP."
Claire's referral came through in August 2019 and she said "I knew by their eyes. Their chosen words. Their awkward replies. I asked the consultant was everything ok and he just said, "I don't know".
Five days later Claire was diagnosed while 16 weeks pregnant. Her consultant told her that treatment may only involve a mastectomy.
However, following her mastectomy in September, just after she found out she was having a baby boy, results showed she would need to undergo chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy.
I was diagnosed on the 20th. I was 16 weeks pregnant at the time. My consultant told me that treatment may only involve a mastectomy.
"I started my chemotherapy in October. I had 4 rounds before Christmas. Baby boy held my heart in his the whole way. His kicks were the best medicine I was getting. And my 2-year-old Noah, sang me through a dark few months."
In January 2020, Claire's little Sonny was born via caesarean 3 weeks early. Although she still had four more weeks of chemotherapy to go through.
"I felt far more alone and scared this time. Without Sonny, I felt vulnerable. You would imagine it would be the other way around."
Claire completed chemotherapy on March 18th, but on March 19th her temperature spiked. At the beginning of the pandemic, the initial fear was COVID-19, however after a number of days in isolation and away from her babies her test came back negative.
A second surgery was required in April 2020 for lymph node removal and dissection, followed by 3 weeks of radiation in July.
"Although recovery was slower than the first, it was ok. I'm currently receiving hormone treatment for the next few years. I get a monthly injection that is sending me into early menopause. It does make me sad that my childbearing days may be over, but I know I'm blessed."
"I'm 31 now with 2 healthy little boys, a wonderful family, my parents and one big smile on my face."
Claire said still to this day the worst part of the entire thing was waiting on that first call, wishing it to be nothing more than a scare.
"I wish I could take that sting away from every woman out there. I thank God every day for breast cancer research, and I hope to encourage women to keep checking their breasts. It's all it takes.
I suppose my main reason would be from the point of view of a young woman. Many people said to me (including my doctors) that I was so young but I think for young women out there, it is so important to be aware of it and not to bank on youth being on your side."
How to get involved
Breast Cancer Ireland is asking people all over the globe to come together to support people just like Claire.
On October 16th & 17th, no matter your age or fitness level, get out and build your kilometres.
You can register here and simply use your phone or an app to track your kilometres on the day.
Then upload your distances to the website and help turn the globe pink!
Don't forget to get involved in the fun on social media too and share your photos and videos with #GreatPinkRun2021.
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