Pictured at the annual Union Hall Pink Umbrella Walk in Aid of Action Breast Cancer were Trish Hurley, Teddy Burnes, Anna Burns & Bernie O’Regan (All from Union Hall) Pic: Emma Jervis
TWO breast cancer survivors from Union Hall were among some 200 walkers who braved the mist for a cancer charity hike around Glandore Harbour yesterday.
Anne O’Neill and Carmel McKenna were diagnosed with breast cancer within weeks of each other in November 2010.
The news was delivered to Carmel following an MRI on her 50th birthday.
“I remember feeling totally shocked and scared. On the outside I was calm, but I had four children (aged 10 to 18) and I didn’t want to be showing them my true feelings,” she said.
Organised in conjunction with Fuller’s Centra in Union Hall, yesterday’s hike followed a hugely successful fundraising walk that raised €10,000 in one afternoon last year.
Spearheaded by Fuller’s Centra employee Bernie O’Regan (25), the event saw bags, umbrellas, mittens, cups and candles sold with all proceeds going directly to Irish Cancer Society.
Imaginative refreshments provided by local baker Sandra Limerick included cup cakes iced with decorative with pink bras.
Anne, who has been cancer free now for two years following a double lumpectomy, said support from the community made her stronger and more determined to beat breast cancer.
“The calls, texts, mass bouquets and kind words from people you barely know is a huge boost during treatment,” she said.
Both she and Carmel thanked their medical teams at Cork University Hospital and urged women to be vigilant in the fight against breast cancer.
“It’s so important to check yourself every month and get anything you find checked out by a doctor. An event like this is a great way to raise awareness of breast cancer,” Carmel said.
Speaking after the event, Anne praised Bernie whose ‘enthusiam and organisational ability knows no bounds’ she said.
Bernie said that people were generous despite the feeling the recessionary pinch because cancer has touched so many families.
“We know its tough for people but this is something that has affected everyone and the local community here never fails to dig deep,” she said.