Famous faces sign up to take part in this year’s Very Pink Run, including Irish Country Magazine cover star, Sinéad Kennedy
If you’re looking for a challenge this autumn, the newly-named Very Pink Run is back and bigger than ever this year – with an option for participants to take part in either one (or all three) of the physical live events being held in Dublin, Kilkenny or at a brand-new location in Cork. Of course, if you would prefer to participate in a virtual sense – anywhere that suits you – you can do this between 30 September – 8 October.
The now global event, with a brand-new title sponsor – Very – has seen 78,000 participants from over 40 countries take part to date and raised over €6m for ground-breaking breast cancer research.
A large group of well-known faces have already joined this year’s ‘Very Pink Tribe’ including Cork broadcasters Sinead Kennedy and Elaine Crowley, Cork Rose Kate O’Shaughnessy, Daniel O’Donnell, Virgin Media presenter Ciara Doherty, Bobby Kerr of Newstalk, and Fair City actor, Ryan Andrews. Also joining the ranks and encouraging participation are rugby stars Josh van der Flier, Robbie Henshaw, broadcaster Lorraine Keane and social influencer and TV personality James Patrice, amongst others. In the lead up to, and during the three live events, they will join the many thousands of families who have been impacted by the disease in this country as they pound the pavements and parks of Ireland, and overseas, in support of the cause.
If you don’t fancy the idea of running, don’t worry, you can still take part as the events are entirely inclusive! Casual strollers, keen walkers, joggers and seasoned runners alike are all welcome and the events 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.
Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland speaking at the launch, said: “The funds raised will be channelled directly into three specific areas of need this year – firstly, continued investment into research regarding metastatic disease progression, an ever-challenging area in need of support and secondly, investment in driving progression and speed of scientific discovery from research settings into clinical trials so as to develop newer more effective targeted therapies into the future. Lastly, the funds raised through this year’s event allow us to support ongoing Breast Cancer Research Fellowships and Scholarships specifically focussed on the sub type cancers that pose the greatest challenges and require continued investment – all of which helps us to fulfil our ultimate goal of transforming breast cancer into a treatable illness that can be maintained long term.”
Registrations for the event are open now on verypinkrun.ie.
Key Statistics
- One in nine women will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime.
- 1 in 1000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer
- Every 29 seconds someone in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer
- We have 3,700 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year
- 23% of women are diagnosed between the ages of 20-50 years
- 38% of women are diagnosed between the ages of 51-64 years
- 20% of women are diagnosed over the age of 65-74 years
- 19% of women are diagnosed over the age of 75 years
- Only 5%-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary
