Remembering Prof. Gerry O'Sullivan, Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle & More
APRIL 2021
This April we remember our Breakthrough Cancer Research Founder, Professor Gerry O’Sullivan. Gerry passed away from Multiple Myeloma in 2012, but not before setting up our fantastic organisation with an aim to Make More Survivors.
His wife Breda shares their story: "Thank you for being a loyal supporter of the cancer research vision my husband Gerry started over 25 years ago.
We met in our early 20s at a dance at the Stella while Gerry was in Bantry for his hospital internship. He was such a great dancer. Just so enthusiastic about everything, it was infectious! That enthusiasm was evident in his work. He was an amazing man, both a gifted surgeon and researcher. Whether in the theatre or in the lab, he undoubtedly saved countless lives over the years.
This makes it all the more poignant that there was nothing to save him when he himself had his own cancer diagnosis. In 2009, after being unable to stand due to severe pain in his upper thigh, a scan confirmed Gerry had Multiple Myeloma.
We were in a state of shock. After a few days in hospital, he came home and started chemo. He tolerated the treatments well and just got on with living. Gerry continued going to the lab to work on poor prognosis cancers and to motivate the team.
In August 2011, he went to hospital for a stem cell harvest, to prepare for a transplant. Back home he continued to research, determined to find new ways to cure or prolong the life of those with no hope.
By Autumn, his cancer markers were rising again. The new drug treatments were no longer working. We returned to hospital in January 2012 to see if the stem cell transplant was going to happen. It was the saddest hour of my life, as I listened to the team say, “Wait another month – more chemo.” We all knew he was not strong enough. We drove home and sadly his cancer grew stronger.
Gerry died peacefully in his beloved Mercy Hospital, where he had worked for over 25 years, on 12th February 2012.
I am so proud of my husband who has left a research legacy that will live on after him and continue to save lives into the future.
Although his death was 9 years ago, and treatments have improved, Myeloma still remains an incurable cancer. He would be thrilled to see the current Breakthrough projectsthat aim to improve treatments for patients with multiple myeloma. He was always trying to find new ways to help others, new treatments, new approaches.
I really hope you will continue supporting this work. I know only too well what it’s like when the treatments that exist are just not enough. Only more research and new ideas will change that.”
Breda O’Sullivan
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - Make Yourself Aware of the Signs & Symptoms
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