A 58-year-old west of Ireland man who has lung cancer is undertaking a 600 mile sponsored cycle in aid of a local cancer charity.
Martin Connery, who lives in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo began the nine day cycle, which is in aid of Cancer Care West and takes place throughout the west, in Letterkenny last Saturday. It will finish at Inis Aoibhinn, the charity’s residential facility in Galway on Sunday June 20.
He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2007. He had surgery and chemotherapy but almost died as a result of an allergic reaction to the chemotherapy drugs. Shortly afterwards, a large number of tumours appeared on his lungs, these remain untreated.
Mr Connery has astounded medical professionals by remaining well and healthy, something he attributes to an active lifestyle and positive attitude. He has taken part in sports, such as rowing and cycling, on a regular basis in the past. In more recent years he focused on cycling and became a member of Annagh Wheelers cycling club in Mayo. He has been involved in several tournaments. He embarked on “The Life Cycle” journey both to raise funds for Cancer Care West and to spread the positive message about his personal journey.
“I have experienced a lot of challenges over the past few years and being diagnosed with cancer was the last thing I expected as I have always lived a healthy lifestyle,” he says. “I believe that your outlook has a lot to do with your management of cancer and so I have remained positive and healthy. I want to spread this message and take the opportunity to raise money for Cancer Care West which is providing valuable cancer support services to many cancer patients and their families all over the west of Ireland.”
Richard Flaherty, the CEO of Cancer Care West, says Mr Connery is a “truly inspirational” man.
“We are proud to be involved in the Life Cycle event, and to have been selected by Martin as the charity to receive funds raised through his cycling endeavours. We hope to raise funds through the campaign which will enable us to continue working with cancer patients and their families from the west of Ireland.”
Anyone interested in supporting the cycle should contact Sharon Fitzpatrick at Cancer Care West at (091 ) 545000 or (087 ) 9120853 or visit www.cancercarewest.ie Cancer Care West is a not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting people whose lives have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. It provides residential accommodation and support services to cancer patients from all over the west of Ireland including counties Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, North Tipperary, Roscommon and Sligo.
