#CountyChampion- Erin - Kerry - Kerry Hospice Foundation
What county you are representing?
Hey everyone, my name is Erin and I reign from the county that is best known as the Kingdom!!
Tell us a little about yourself.
In December 2019, after returning from an amazing holiday in New York, my Fiancée was diagnosed with Terminal Oesophageal Cancer. Throughout 2020, we were blessed to have the amazing facility that is the Palliative Care Unit on our doorstep who were able to help John in so many ways from counselling to pain management and allowed him to live as normal a life as Covid allowed for in 2020.
How many times have you taken part in the Vhi WMM?
This is my first time taking part in this event. Since Covid I have taken part in a number of virtual charity walks and really enjoyed them.
What do you most love about the event?
I am looking forward to the atmosphere and having my family and friends around to walk with me on the day.
What inspires you to take part?
I love the feeling I get after a walk... To me, there is no better feeling, sometimes I take off with my headphones, and more times I listen to the birds and take in the nature that’s all around me. I find even on a hard day, if I can get out for a walk it is of enormous help to me.
Our campaign theme this year is #PowerOfMe, celebrating the power of one person to make a difference, either in their own lives or to the lives of others. Let us know how you encapsulate this theme.
In December 2019, Cancer came to my doorstep and I was introduced to a world I knew nothing about, which included the Kerry Hospice/ Palliative Care Unit. The word Hospice can be scary, when you are at your weakest, the incredible work, commitment and difference these men and women make to both patients and their families. They encapsulate the theme the power of me and the difference they make in everyone’s life.
Do you take part for a charity or cause?
Yes for The Kerry Hospice Foundation, a charity that is so close to my heart.
Any other details about the cause or story that you can share that may inspire other women.
My Fiancée, was given a terminal diagnosis in December 2019, having been admitted and seeing first-hand the amazing work of the Palliative Care Day Unit, Inpatient Unit and Homecare Team, John and his friends held a fundraiser in June 2020. No matter the day, whether he wasn’t feeling the best or had had a rough night, he got up every morning and went for his walk and continued to tell everyone and anyone about this amazing facility and raised over €50,000 for the Unit. If John could do this, I know we can all do our bit as well!
What advice would you give others who are considering taking part this year?
Get involved! Do it for yourself and in turn by your fundraising events, you will help every family that walks through the doors of the Kerry Hospice/Palliative Care Unit. It may seem daunting at first, but step by step, and KM after KM, you will provide much needed funds to this very worthy cause. I know that any funds raised will go to providing exceptional care for other cancer suffers and their families.
What is the best piece of training advice you have been given?
When my Fiancée got sick, I was told by the nurses in the Palliative Care, to take some time every day and get a walk in for myself. I did this, and after each walk no matter what kind of day I was having I always felt like I could face anything. I would advise anyone, get up and go for your walk, start small and build it up. That’s what I did and I recently walked 100KM in a month for fun!!!
If you would like to contribue to the Kerry Hospice Foundation, you can click the button below.