'Think Pink' fundraiser at Terry Coyle Park for breast cancer awareness

While things may look varying shades of grey with the COVID-19 situation, people are being urged to 'Think Pink' for October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The Terry Coyle Track Club in Cavan Town has organised a special fundraiser with all money raised going towards the Cavan Oncology Unit.

When the Celt visited the track last Thursday evening, dozens of people of varying ages were either running or walking, albeit socially distanced, and the spirits of participants were high despite level three restrictions.

To get an insight into what the initiative is all about, we spoke to Greg Meehan who organised the classes.

“The Terry Coyle Track Club commenced in January, 2019 and, at the time, it was part of a local sports initiative, called the 5k programme. It subsequently took on a life of its own and everyone wanted to keep going.

“It has been going strong in the interim, but we did not run during the lockdown, but since we returned the interest has been great once again,” he explained.

“The Month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and our aim is to raise awareness and funds for Cavan Oncology Unit. The classes here cost €3 and everything that goes into the fund for the month of October, will be donated. We also have an on-line link where you can donate, if you can't make it to any of the classes,” continued Greg.

The Go Fund Me site has already raised €435 of its €1,000 target before revenue generated from classes is added to the total.

The combined monies will be totalled at the end of the month and presented to the Cavan Oncology Unit.

The classes run each Monday and Thursday evening at 6.30pm and on Saturday morning at 9.30am.

“The classes are suitable for every level of fitness – sometimes we have senior footballers here who wish to do some sprints. We have a good mix of people of varying ages and you will also see elite athletes on the track,” said Greg of the different levels of walker/runner.

Mary McCarthy attends the classes regularly and finds them very helpful and enjoys the camaraderie and support. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2019, had surgery in June and commenced my Chemo in July. I would consider myself extremely lucky to be able to have my Chemo in Cavan, because I could walk up and down to it,” she told us.

“All the members of staff there were exceptional and gave me incredible guidance and support an made what would otherwise would have been a very scary time,” added Mary.

When I suggested that, no matter how much support you have, you are on your own when it comes to undergoing treatment, Mary enthused "but the staff there catch you falling”.

“This initiative was Greg Meehan's idea and, when we discussed it, it was my wish the money would stay local for the Oncology Unit,” said Mary.

“It would be easy to stay at home but this group has been great since it commenced in January, 2019. We are quite a close-knit group. Having said that, it is open to everybody and you are all welcome to come along. We are delighted to see people,” she continued.

Mary pointed out that people have been exceptionally kind to her over the past year. “I have made friends of all ages and people are very kind. The track club and the classes were Greg Meehan's brainchild and he deserves great credit,” she added.

Link for online donations is: gofundme.com/f/think-pink-for-october

It can be found on the Cavan Gael's Social Media pages.