Carlow Entrepreneur establishes new foundation to fund research into rare cancer
David Walsh, the well-known Carlow Entrepreneur is devoting his time and energy to the establishment of a new foundation, The Beatrice Pembroke Walsh Foundation
David Walsh, the well-known Carlow Entrepreneur is devoting his time and energy to the establishment of a new foundation, The Beatrice Pembroke Walsh Foundation, to fund research into Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), an extremely rare and aggressive cancer which affects just 6 in 1 Million people, mainly women. The Beatrice Pembroke Walsh Foundation was the brainchild of David’s late wife Beatrice, who lost her life to LMS at just 53 years of age in October, 2022.
David, who is one of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs, explains; “I will never forget Beatrice’s reaction when she was diagnosed with LMS and told she had just months to live. Her diagnosis came after months of agonising pain when she was brushed off by many in the medical profession who didn’t recognise the symptoms of LMS, it is such a rare cancer. Her first reaction wasn’t about herself, it wasn’t anger, it wasn’t fear, it was concern. It was: How can we stop this from happening to another woman?
“So we began talking about a foundation — one that would raise awareness about LMS, support early diagnosis, and fund vital research. That’s how The Beatrice Pembroke Walsh Foundation was born”.
“I have been blown away by the support of my many friends and my colleagues throughout the business community who have got behind what we are trying to achieve. Their generosity is overwhelming. We held our first fundraising event – a golf classic in the K Club last week - and raised over €350,000 for the Foundation. It was unbelievable and a fantastic tribute to Beatrice.” said David. “It was an emotional evening with Beatrice’s mom Helen, her brother Brian and his wife Anna as well as our children and my own family in attendance.”
The newly founded not-for-profit trust is a registered charity and is already funding a student from Ireland to undertake his PhD in Oxford University, conducting research on Leiomyosarcoma (LMS). David hopes the Foundation will help fund additional researchers over time.
David is also passionate about promoting awareness of LMS to ensure earlier recognition of symptoms and diagnosis. Because of the lack of awareness around LMS, people are often misdiagnosed, or their illness has advanced by the time they are correctly diagnosed. Life expectancy is far better when LMS is detected early in its primary source.
“Educating medical professionals will be a central part of the Foundation’s work, as well as creating awareness of LMS and its symptoms among women in particular”, he says.
“Our children, Clodagh, Patrick and Christopher are Beatrice’s greatest legacy and I couldn’t have got through these past few years without their love and support. The Beatrice Pembroke Walsh Foundation is honouring their mother’s wishes and her memory. Our vision as a family is to raise awareness and fund research so every Irish person affected by Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) has the treatment, care and support they need.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the Beatrice Pembroke Walsh Foundation can do so on idonate.ie. All donations will be gratefully received and every cent raised goes directly to the foundation.