Pink Tribe turned out in force for Breast Cancer Ireland's Great Pink Run
This week has seen over 8,000 participants take part in our first ever Hybrid Great Pink Run event, encompassing two large scale live events, held in Dublin and Kilkenny. Participants, who couldn’t make the live events, also took part virtually, from all over the country as part of the annual event raising an incredible €575k funds to support Breast Cancer Ireland’s research and awareness programmes nationally.
Great Pink Run events are entirely inclusive, aimed at casual strollers, keen walkers, joggers and seasoned runners alike and are open to all age groups.
Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland, speaking at the Kilkenny event on 16th October, said “By the end of today’s event in Kilkenny Castle Park over 78,000 people will have taken part in the Great Pink Run since it began in 2011, from 36 countries in total. The monies raised to date have helped support pioneering research across Ireland – ultimately aimed at developing new and more effective targeted therapies for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and fulfilling the charity’s mission to transform this disease, from often fatal, to a treatable illness that can be maintained long-term. We’re incredibly grateful to have such loyal sponsors year on year, such as our title sponsor Glanbia, and UPMC based here in Kilkenny, Cornmarket and new sponsor, Goodbody, amongst others, who help offset the staging costs of such an event, ensuring that all monies raised this year will go directly to fund research into metastatic disease, a challenging and much needed area for investment”.
Michael Patten, Chief ESG and Corporate Affairs Officer at Glanbia added “It is always great to see our Glanbia employees supporting this fun event with their families and colleagues. The Great Pink Run has been a significant supporter of research into pioneering new treatments for breast cancer and also for important education and awareness programmes, which can be lifesaving for many patients. We were delighted to see the turnout of the pink tribes in Kilkenny Castle Park today and in Dublin last weekend, where there was fun and palpable camaraderie evident in the support for Breast Cancer Ireland’s work. Well done to all involved for another successful year of the Great Pink Run.”
Over the last six weeks, several well-known faces have joined the ‘pink tribe’ encouraging people to register including Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan (Patron), Ray Foley, Today FM Presenter [Today FM is Official Media Partner to the event] Bobby Kerr, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Newstalk Presenter, Kieran Cuddihy, Newstalk Presenter, Virgin Media presenter Kamal Ibrahim, along with Elaine Crowley and Lorraine Keane, Broadcaster and TV Presenter, both of whom are long standing Breast Cancer Ireland Ambassadors. Former Irish international rugby player Shane Byrne, FM104’s Crossy (Thomas Crosse), Social Influencer & TV personality James Patrice, his mother Veronica Butler (Fron), TV Presenter and personality, Nadine Reid, and Rugby star Robbie Henshaw are also proud event Ambassadors. They join the many thousands 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.
Breast Cancer Ireland aims to transform the landscape of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment through ongoing pioneering research that will ultimately transform this disease from often being fatal into a treatable illness long-term.
