'This is not a race for me'

A Cavanman, who just months ago underwent surgery for testicular cancer, is to attempt to walk the near 800 kilometres of the ancient pilgrim route Camino de Santiago. In doing so, local fireman Joey McDonald hopes to raise funds to provide a defibrillator at the UN House capable of serving the surrounding Swellan community in case of emergency.

When Joey received his diagnosis last February, he describes it as an elucidating moment. “Just to hear the word 'cancer' said to you, it hits you hard. But it's amazing how quickly things fall into perspective after that.”
Illness is a raw issue for Joey and his extended family, still reeling from the saddening loss of a brother-in-law several years ago, also from cancer.
“I'm only 44 years of age and I've four young kids, age 21 down to 12. You get a lot of time to think especially when lying in a hospital bed staring blankly at the ceiling. You think could you have done anything differently, should you have, but you know you can't. You reflect a lot on things,” Joey tells The Anglo-Celt.
A firm believer in mindfulness and mental well-being, particularly given the often harrowing encounters experienced through his job, Joey says he “refocused” following an operation not long after the initial diagnosis.
A keen outdoor man, since attending a European Studies trip to Wales in his early teens, Joey has been a member of the Cavan Walkers for the best part of decade.
“I've been on Mont Blanc and around the Alps and Switzerland and, with the group, we've walked across Ireland and different places in Europe as well.”
Despite his many journeys, the popular pilgrim route of Camino De Santiago ending at the tomb of St James in north-west Spain remained on Joey's 'Bucket List' of life accomplishments.
“I've seen a lot of fatalities down through the years and you have to learn to cope with it. But if you don't release it somewhere it can build up, it can overwhelm you. That's why walking is so important for me. That's my head space. But this is a bit different,” admits Joey.
For starters, Joey's diagnosis is not something he can walk away from easily and, when he returns, he must learn the outcome of several blood tests. Still, he remains positive.
“You have to. There is no other way. You have to keep going otherwise the whole thing can swallow you up.”
Before setting off, along with essentials - fresh socks, several t-shirts - Joey packed memorial cards of people close to him who have passed away.
“There will be a lot of things I know I'll be thinking about. People always ask you, in the job you do, 'how do you cope with things?'. For me, with any victims, whatever the situation, I try and find out what their name is, so they're not a stranger, they are a person. Those names stick with you and, quite often, a year later, there might be an inquest or five years later you'll see their name printed in the Memorial section of the Celt. There are so many times that has happened that it brings back either we helped recover them, or helped try to save them. Those people will be in my mind, them and the families that were left behind. They'll all be in my thoughts and prayer when I hopefully reach St James's Church.”
A former member of the Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ - now Reserves) and friendly with several former UN servicemen in the local area, Joey seized upon the opportunity to use his embarking on the Camino to benefit the local community.
The hope is, that with assistance from instructors within the Civil Defence, training can also be provided for people in the local area interested in learning how to use the potentially life-saving device.
The Camino trek is, following the book, expected to take Joey upwards of 30 days to complete. But he is under no illusion, given his recent operation, it may take longer still. “This is not a race for me. I want to complete it. If it takes me longer, so be it,” Joey tells the Celt.
Joey travelled to Spain last week, and laughs when saying friends and family can expect to see him in about a months time “... and about two stone lighter”.
In the meantime, collection buckets are in several business premises throughout Cavan Town. “Whatever goes into the bucket will go towards the purchasing of the defibrillator and training as well. The Lion's Club have already been very generous making their own donation, so that was a good kick start before heading off,” he adds.
“When I get back home with a clean pair of shoulders, I’ll be ready to face into whatever comes next.
“For me this walk is about taking something positive out of the whole situation, and hopefully when the defibrillator is got and paid for, it can be something positive for the Swellan area as well.”