National Cancer Survivors Day This year, National Cancer Survivors Day, Sunday June 5th, was marked with the very special unveiling of a life-sized statue in honour of the late Professor Gerry O’Sullivan. Professor O’Sullivan was a pioneer in the field of cancer research, and founder of Breakthrough Cancer Research. The statue was officially unveiled in the Professor Gerry O’Sullivan Memorial Park, Caheragh, by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan and Professor O’Sullivan’s widow Breda. They were joined by friends, family and colleagues from all over country and as far as the US, along with neighbours and the wider West Cork community, as they celebrated an extraordinary life dedicated to helping others. The keynote speaker was one of the world’s most influential scientists, leading immunologist, author and broadcast personality, Professor Luke O’Neill. In addition to founding Breakthrough, Professor O’Sullivan was a highly acclaimed surgeon, scientist and cancer researcher. His world-renowned clinical expertise was matched by his belief in the power of research to mould a better future for people with cancer. Gerry was deeply rooted in the West Cork community. In 2014, the local Caheragh community, who are immensely proud of Gerry and his accomplishments, created a ‘Science Through Nature’ themed recreational park, which was named in his honour to preserve his memory and inspire future generations. The Kirby Family in Killeenleigh donated the 4-acre plot, which links the school and churches to the rest of the village, and the development was funded by generous private donations, Cork County Council and other voluntary groups. It is an ongoing project to create a vibrant, creative and educational space for families in the area, with plans for themed gardens denoting significant periods of Prof. Gerry’s life. There will also be a pollinator corner for a hive and honeybees, another passion of O’Sullivan's. Eight years later, to mark Gerry’s 10 year anniversary, this same community came together again to commission a life size statue of the late professor. The statue was created by sculptor Don Cronin. Chair of the committee Mícheál Kirby, said, ‘Professor O’Sullivan died at the young age of 65 from cancer, a disease he had spent his whole career saving others from. We are so incredibly proud of his achievements and the man he became and want to encourage young people in our community to follow in his footsteps. Nothing is impossible when you have passion, determination and a kind heart. Gerry never forgot his roots in West Cork and we will always remember him.’ Professor O’Sullivan founded Breakthrough on his unshakeable belief that we can make more survivors of cancer and we will do that through research. We continue his work daily as we invest in world-class research in Ireland to impact the quality of life for cancer patients and to save lives. We are particularly focused on improving outcomes for cancers which are poorly served by current treatment options and have helped take nine new treatments from the lab into clinical trial.
We are excited to announce and welcome our five new Breakthrough Cancer Research Summer Scholars. These third level students will spend the summer researching increased understanding and possible new treatments for cancer patients in Ireland. Their research, across a range of cancers, is being funded by the Breakthrough Cancer Research Summer Scholarship Programme. Our charity strives to ensure that patients have access to the best treatments for cancer and never have to be told that there is ‘no hope.’ Projects include increasing early access to new medicines from pharmaceutical companies, researching what makes high-risk Multiple Myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) cancer cells different to find new therapies that can target these differences, the effects of Vitamin D receptors in oesophageal cancer (cancer of the food pipe), and the benefits of pre and post operative exercise and nutrition programmes for people with various cancers. Speaking in relation to this programme, Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, says, ‘Research into new treatments and cures of cancer is the only way that we will increase survival rates. We are delighted to partner students with research teams to develop the education of the next generation of cancer research leaders. 'Now in its second year, the Summer Scholarship programme is focused on patients, with the ultimate aim being to improve cancer care and increase survival rates. It is also vital for students to have these hands-on experiences in our cutting-edge research labs in Ireland, something they have been missing out on in recent times (due to COVID).’
Meet The Scholars
Jessica Walsh from University College Cork will research the effects of particular molecules on Vitamin D receptors in oesophageal cancer - which is cancer of the food pipe. In Ireland, approximately 500 people are diagnosed every year with this disease and if current projections continue, by 2045 annual cases of oesophageal cancer in men will increase by 115% and 109% in women. Speaking in relation to her research Jessica says, ‘In oesophageal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of oesophageal cancer, we can see an increase in vitamin D receptor protein expression. In this study, I hope to identify important products created by the body that activates the vitamin D receptor in oesophageal cancer cells. The significance of such findings would contribute to a better understanding of the causes of oesophageal cancer and aid in the development of therapeutic strategies.’
Sarah Badar from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) is conducting her research on Multiple Myeloma (MM), a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells which are important for our immune system. The disease affects over 350 people in Ireland every year, and despite many new treatments it is incurable, as most patients will eventually relapse following treatment. Patients experience various symptoms due to the growth of these cancerous cells, such as bone pain. Sarah’s research aims to personalise treatment by understanding what makes high-risk MM cancer cells different from standard-risk MM cancer cells, and to find new therapies that can target these differences.
Nina Zumbrunn from DCUwill conduct a trial on the benefits of an exercise and nutrition programme for people with peritoneal and ovarian cancer who are scheduled for surgery. A big focus of this research is on cognitive factors that impact a patient’s daily living, such as brain fog, memory loss, and difficulties maintaining attention.
Siobhán Lynam from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI)will perform a follow up study on the effect of a pre-and post-operative exercise programme on oesophageal and gastric cancer patients’ physical fitness in RCSI. In relation to her research Siobhán says, ‘A cancer diagnosis can affect a person's emotional health, and we believe that we can learn a lot from the interviews conducted which will help us learn more about the needs of individuals with this cancer.’
Tim Cronin from University College Corkwill look at the role of expanded access chemotherapy programmes in a designated cancer centre at Cork University Hospital. Expanded access is where pharmaceutical companies provide early access to unauthorised new medicines, that are not yet publicly available, to cancer patients who may benefit from them. These medicines have been proven to be safe and effective through clinical trials, but have not yet been brought to market.
Currently in Ireland, there is no standardised protocol for their use and therefore it relies on individual applications from oncologists and haematologists to pharmaceutical companies to obtain these treatments for their patients. Tim aims to create a repository of available programmes in Ireland to allow for greater awareness and use, and to begin the first steps towards creating a nationwide expanded access programme protocol to manage and monitor their use more effectively. The goal is that these programmes will be more readily available to patients who need them, and as a result will improve cancer patient outcomes into the future.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who took to the roads, or supported someone who did, over the June Bank Holiday weekend to help us on our mission to 100% survival for 100% of cancers. Between the VHI Dublin Mini Marathon and Cork City Marathon you raised an astounding €40,000 for cancer research. We know it can't have been easy running and walking in the rain, but you never gave up and neither we will. We are absolutely blown away by your generosity and commitment to help make more survivors, so from the bottom of our hearts we thank you.
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