Registration is now open for the annual 100K in 30 Days fundraiser in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland, where participants are invited to run, walk, or wheel 100km during the month of June to raise sponsorship for this worthy cause.
Organisers are calling on Galway people to join the #pinkarmy and get involved in the event, which raised €1.7 million last year and a total of €3 million over the last three years.
The event, sponsored by Sherry FitzGerald, is open to everyone — including individual runners, walkers, those in wheelchairs, families, work colleagues, schools, community groups, and sports teams.
100K in 30 Days was founded by Co Louth couple Niall Carroll and Cara McAdam and launched in 2020 after Cara was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the last two years, 38,000 people in 36 countries have taken part raising €3 million for Breast Cancer Ireland. This funding has helped to pay for equipment for a new state-of-the-art clinical trial centre due to open in the Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, in June, along with clinical trials for new fourth generation drugs, specialist breast research nurses in eight cancer centres around the country, and research into the most aggressive triple negative breast cancers.
“The success of the event over last two years, throughout a pandemic, has spurred us on to make 2022 the biggest year yet," founder Niall Carroll said. "We all know someone who has, or has had, breast cancer. The purpose of 100K in 30 Days is for everyone, young and old, grandparents to grandkids, to have fun and get the daily steps in while raising much needed funds for Breast Cancer Ireland. Over the last two years, we’ve seen €3 million raised which has gone into various research projects but it doesn’t end there. We want to keep raising money to continue these trials so we’ll continue to fund finding a cure for breast cancer.
"I’m very proud of the success the pink army has achieved to date and we’d be delighted to see new faces this year," he continued. "I hope communities all across Ireland get behind it. Cancer isn’t defeated alone. It takes a village. It’s a challenge that can be done in your own time anywhere in the world, and you can even get the dog involved.”
Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland, said the funds raised from the event have had a "hugely positive impact" on the work of the charity.
“The funds raised over the last two years have supported a number of important initiatives, most importantly the creation of a new clinical trial, the Shamrock Trial, which will involve 80 patients around the country," she added. "This is a hugely significant trial, in that we’re trying to use a new fourth generation drug, where we hope, as a result, to be in a position to de-escalate the need for chemotherapy for patients and have a 100 per cent response rate.
"Secondly, we’re supporting our specialist breast research nurses in each of the designated cancer centres. Their role is to collect patient tissue samples into one large national bio-bank, allowing clinicians and scientists to avail of larger volumes and thereby speed up research discovery output.
"And finally, we’re supporting our complementary education and outreach programme nationally, educating women and men on the importance of good breast health. Breast Cancer Ireland’s vision is to seek to transform this disease from often being fatal to a treatable long-term illness that can be maintained.”
Steven McKenna, CEO of sponsor Sherry FitzGerald, said the company, which employs more than 600 peole in 100 offices nationwide, would also be taking part in the event.
“Unfortunately there are very few friends, colleagues, and family members that haven’t been touched by breast cancer and we’re delighted to be involved helping to play our part to fund finding a cure for breast cancer," he added.
100K in 30 Days, in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland sponsored by Sherry FitzGerald, takes place throughout the month of June. For more information and to register, see www.100kin30days.ie. You can also follow @100kin30days on Instagram and the Twitter hashtags #100kin30days and #pinkarmy.
Those who register for 100K in 30 Days and log their distances will also be in with a chance to win prizes including €5,000 holiday voucher, numerous weekends away, children’s prizes, Fitbit smart watches, and shopping vouchers.
