My name is Caroline , I am from Cloonfad a small rural village in Roscommon, where the three counties (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) meet. I am working as a Medical scientist in Sligo University Hospital and am also currently working towards completing my Masters in Biomedical Science later this year. This year will be my eighth time participating in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.  

The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon has always been one of the highlights of my year. Over the years I have raised funds for charities close to my heart and in more recent years I have encouraged friends and family to join me. This year is a little bit more significant to me and my family and we want to make it that little bit extra special by encouraging as many of our friends and family to join us at this years event. We have chosen to share the funds we raise between 2 charities very close to our hearts Cancer Care West and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. In recent years we as a family have seen first-hand the fantastic work both these organisations carry out and the invaluable support they provide to families, friends and the patients they care for.  

In 2015 my grandmother passed away following a brief illness the hospice palliative care team were an invaluable support to us and her in that time and enabled us to provide the best care for her. That summer my sister, mother and aunt took part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice in memory of our grandmother. At this time, we did not know we would so soon come into contact with the hospice team again. In January 2016, my wonderful father was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, despite all best efforts our Dad passed away that September leaving us completely heartbroken. When dad was diagnosed my sister and I along with some friends decided to take part in the Vhi Women’s Mini-marathon for Cancer Care West, a charity which provides invaluable support, hope and encouragement for families just like ours on site at Galway University Hospital.

Since then my sister and I have walked, jogged, even hopped to the finish line on the June bank holiday weekend in memory of our father, grandparents and our many friends. As I mentioned earlier, this year is more important for us as a family, as this year we would have celebrated our late grandparents 60th wedding anniversary in January and our fathers 60th birthday in November making us all the more determined to take part and encourage as many friends and family to join us and raise much needed funds and awareness for two exceptionally deserving causes.  

This year we won’t be able to make it to Dublin, but my friends and family are looking forward to taking part in a socially distanced version at home to raise some much needed funds for our charities. We can’t wait for next years event which we hope to make bigger and better than ever and with this years event postponed we’ve looked at it as an opportunity to get in more training.

About my charities  

Cancer Care West  

Cancer Care West provide professional community-based practical and emotional support services, free of charge, to anyone affected by cancer, throughout the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Clare. Cancer Care West also provide training for Oncology medical, nursing and hospital-based staff to support them in their work. The accommodation services available on site at Galway University Hospital support patients and their families referred to the hospital for their cancer treatment by providing residential and short-term accommodation, at no cost, when patients are undergoing treatment.  

Mayo Roscommon Hospice  

Mayo Roscommon Hospice in association with HSE West  exist to provide palliative care services to people with life limiting illnesses and their families in County Mayo and Roscommon. The foundation affirms life, respecting the uniqueness of each individual, by caring and supporting to met the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families living with life threatening illnesses. The service enables patients to live out the remainder of their lives in comfort and dignity. The palliative care service is provided free of charge to all in their homes and in hospital.  

The Foundation recently completed its Mayo Hospice at a cost of €9m – all of which came from fundraised income. The 14-bed inpatient facility with full day care services is located in Castlebar and will be open to patients in the next few months. It came in on time and under budget and now the construction starts on Roscommon. The sod was turned on the Roscommon Hospice, which will be an 8-bed facility with full day care services, in January and construction starts at the end of February. It will be finished in 14 months and will cost in the region of €6m, again all of which will come from fundraised income. It is located across from Roscommon University Hospital in Roscommon Town.