Kildare woman ambassador for 100K fundraiser for breast cancer research

Kildare woman Rachel Churchill has become an ambassador for the 100K in 30 Days breast cancer fundraiser and will take part again in the event this June. Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2017 which meant she would have to go through chemotherapy and a mastectomy to fight off the disease. After a final five weeks of radiotherapy in July 2018 had completed her treatment and was cancer free and was delighted to see her hair growing back over the coming weeks.

Rachel tried to be positive about her diagnosis from the outset. She always figured that if her mother could get through it in her 70's, so can she. She says she was extremely lucky to be surrounded by plenty of great friends and neighbours who all helped during her treatment and many of them signed up with her to do the 100K in 30 Days fundraiser in June 2020.

Following the success of last year’s 100K in 30 Days event, which raised €1.7 million for Breast Cancer Ireland, organisers are calling on the people of Kildare to join the #pinkarmy and take part in the June event. Registration is now open at www.100kin30days.ie.

The event, sponsored by Sherry FitzGerald, is open to everyone - runners, walkers, those in wheelchairs, families, colleagues, schools, community groups, and sports teams. 100K in 30 Days was founded by Co. Louth (Blackrock, Dundalk) couple Niall Carroll and Cara McAdam and launched in 2020 after Cara was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the last two years, 38,000 people in 36 countries have taken part raising €3million for Breast Cancer Ireland.

Niall Carroll, Founder of 100K in 30 Days, said: “The success of the event over last two years, throughout a pandemic, has spurred us on to make 2022 the biggest year yet. We all know someone who has or has had breast cancer and the purpose of 100K in 30 Days is for everyone, young and old, grandparents to grandkids, to have fun and get the daily steps in while raising much needed funds for Breast Cancer Ireland. Over the last two years, we’ve seen €3 million raised which has gone into various research projects but it doesn’t end there. We want to keep raising money to continue these trials so we’ll continue to fund finding a cure for breast cancer.

"I’m very proud of the success the pink army has achieved to date and we’d be delighted to see new faces this year. I hope communities all across Ireland get behind it. Cancer isn’t defeated alone. It takes a village. It’s a challenge that can be done in your own time anywhere in the world and you can even get the dog involved.”

These crucial funds raised have gone towards equipment for a new state-of-the-art Clinical Trial Centre due to open at the new Breast Centre on the Beaumont Hospital Campus in June. This new centre will offer truly translational medicine to patients and will change the landscape positively into the future. All of this will take place under one roof under the watchful eye of a multidisciplinary team. The funds were also put towards a new clinical trial into Her2+ breast cancer that is being created to examine a fourth generation drug and its effectiveness as part of the treatment plan, de-escalating the need for chemotherapy in the process. 

Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland, said: “We’ve seen the hugely positive impact that that funds raised from 100K in 30 Days challenge has had for Breast Cancer Ireland. The funds raised over the last two years have supported a number of important initiatives, most importantly, the creation of a new clinical trial, the Shamrock Trial, which will involve 80 patients around the country. This is a hugely significant trial, in that we’re trying to use a new fourth generation drug, where we hope, as a result, to be in a position to de-escalate the need for chemotherapy for patients and have a 100% response rate. Secondly, we’re supporting our specialist breast research nurses in each of the designated cancer centres.

"Their role is to collect patient tissue samples, into one large national bio-bank allowing clinicians and scientists to avail of larger volumes and thereby speed up research discovery output. And finally, we’re supporting our complimentary Education and Outreach programme nationally, educating women and men on the importance of good breast health. Breast Cancer Ireland’s vision is to seek to transform this disease from often being fatal to a treatable long-term illness that can be maintained.”