Irish Cancer Society Releases

 Now it’s in 30^th year, thousands of women have put on their running shoes to get fit, have fun and raise money in the annual Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society! 

Between €10 million and €14 million is raised each year through these ladies efforts and this year is no different with approximately 2,200 women out of 40,000 participating in the 2012 event in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Over the past two years, the Irish Cancer Society has raised over €650,000 from the wonderful support of women affected by cancer.

This year, the Society’s hopes to raise €300,000 through the event which will go towards providing care and support to people living with cancer in Ireland. This year 28% of our participants have requested that their donations go towards Action Breast Cancer, 23% to Cancer ResearchIreland, and the remaining 49% will be divided between Action Prostate Cancer and the Irish Cancer Society’s nursing services.

This year alone nearly 30,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer inIrelandnew cancer cases are expected to reach over 43,000 by the year 2020. Cancer will affect one in three people inIrelandduring their lifetime and the biggest risk factor for developing cancer is increasing age. The early detection of cancer is crucial for a good outcome and up to 50% of all cancers are preventable. Cancer differs from most other diseases in that it can develop at any stage in life and in any body organ but it is primarily a disease of ageing. Cancer is increasingly viewed as a condition from which people survive. Very high cure rates can be achieved for some types of cancer.

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For further information on this press release and/or to arrange an interview, please contact: Deirdre Keane, Communications Department, Irish Cancer Society, tel: 086 871 89 59.