Claremorris woman Audrey Hughes helps launch Very Pink Run in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland

CLAREMORRIS woman Audrey Hughes has helped to launch the newly named Very Pink Run in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland.

The global event, with a brand-new title sponsor - Very (Ireland’s leading online retailer) - has seen 78,000 participants from over 40 countries take part to date, raising over €6 million for groundbreaking breast cancer research, and returns this year in both a physical and a ‘virtual’ sense.

Participants can take part in one of three live large-scale physical events taking place in Dublin at Leopardstown Race Course on September 30, Kilkenny Castle Park on Sunday October 1, or at the brand-new location of MTU in Cork on October 8.

Alternatively, people can take part in a ‘virtual’ sense in their own local communities any time between September 30 and October 8.

Audrey had her routine mammogram appointment in February 2015, which came up clear.

However, just a couple of months later in July, she found a lump under her armpit which concerned her. Had she ignored it or not followed up with her GP, she might be in a very different scenario today.

Making an appointment with her GP, she was put on antibiotics to clear up what her GP felt was a blocked duct. When the antibiotics were finished and the lump was still there, Audrey went back and was referred to the breast clinic in Galway.

While there, she underwent a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer in September at 52 years of age.

Audrey hopes to encourage others by sharing her story to never ignore any changes to your body, signs, and symptoms of breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Ireland Very Pink Run events are entirely inclusive, aimed at casual strollers, keen walkers, joggers and seasoned runners alike and are open to all age groups, families, friends and solo participants, who have the option of running, jogging, walking or even scooting over either a 10k or a 5k course. They offer a fun, family festival style day out with music, games and children’s entertainment.

Registrations for the event are open on www.verypinkrun.ie.

Speaking at the launch today, Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to be in a position this year to announce Very as our brand new title sponsor for this, our largest annual fundraising event, and look forward to working with the new sponsorship team for the next three years of the partnership. We are incredibly appreciative of their support (and that of our Silver Tier sponsors such as Glanbia, Goodbody and UMPC) as this not only helps us offset our event costs and ensure that all funds raised go directly into research and awareness programmes, but also means that we can work closely with our sponsor’s extensive employee and stakeholder base in Ireland to help further grow the reach and the impact of this hugely successful event.”

Ms Hurley said the money raised will fund research regarding metastatic disease progression, investment in progressing the speed of scientific discovery from research settings into clinical trials, and supporting ongoing Breast Cancer Research Fellowships and Scholarships.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, Catherine O’Toole, Head of Marketing, for Very said the company were ‘delighted to support this incredible cause’.

“At Very, we’ve been on a mission to make a meaningful difference at the heart of Irish communities for over 50 years and with 1 in 9 women developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and 1 in 1000 men,” she said.

“We know that the important work Breast Cancer Ireland does will touch many of our customers, colleagues, and their families during their lifetime. By increasing awareness and raising vital funds for the life-saving research and breast health education provided by Breast Cancer Ireland, we’re delighted to support this incredible cause and do our part to help us all live longer, happier and healthier lives.

You can participate in the Very Pink Run by registering at www.verypinkrun.ie, gather your ‘pink tribe’ by encouraging friends and family to do the same, then attend one of the 3 live events in Dublin, Kilkenny or Cork - or alternatively do your individual or group run, walk, scoot, wheel or cycle in your own community during the week of the national event (September 30-October 8).