21 April 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Where: Ballincollig Rugby Club
When: 2 – 5pm, Sunday, April 24th
Active Leisure will host a Family Fun Day from 2 to 5pm on Sunday, April 24th in Ballincollig Rugby Club, in aid of the Mercy Hospital Foundation. Activities on the day will include bungee trampolines, train rides, bouncing castles, carnival games, face painting and much more.
Admission is €20 per family (2 adults, 3 children) and proceeds from the event will go towards the treatment of pancreatic cancer at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork.
The conventional treatment for patients with inoperable tumours is chemo and radiotherapy, however pancreatic cancer is neither chemo nor radio sensitive, and prognosis remains very poor. Mr Criostóir Ó’Súilleabháin of The Mercy University Hospital and Breakthrough Cancer Research is working on a project that allows for the safe delivery of electrical pulses to pancreatic tissue called Irreversible electroporation – a quick painless treatment used on patients with inoperable tumours. This treatment causes the tumour cells to become porous and to absorb significantly more chemotherapy as a result. This kills the cancer cells but does not damage the organ.
Speaking about the treatment, Mr Ó’Súilleabháin said “The aim of this research project is to extend the life expectancy of a person with inoperable or hard to reach cancers. It can also be used to treat cancers that are close to vital organs where a surgical approach might be too risky to the patient’s health. So please show your support by joining us for what promises to be a fun-filled afternoon on April 24th. Together we can make a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients in Munster.”
Faye, Erica and Emma Mulvihill launch Active Leisure’s Family Fun Day. Pic: Darragh Kane
Encouraging families to come out on Sunday, April 24th, Deirdre Finn, Campaigns and Community Manager at the Mercy Hospital Foundation said “Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters like Active Leisure and Ballincollig Rugby Club which will host the upcoming family fun day. There will be plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy, so come along for what promises to be a fun filled afternoon.”
Family tickets are available at the gate of Ballincollig Rugby Club on the day.
