PRESS RELEASE

8^th May 2012

Marie Keating Foundation Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Runs Throughout May

-Promoting early detection and dispelling the many myths about Cervical Cancer and Cervical Screening

May is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month for the Marie Keating Foundation and this year, the aim of the campaign is to promote early detection and to dispel some of the myths which still abound with regard to Cervical Cancer and Cervical Screening in Ireland. Throughout the month of May, the Foundation’s nurses will be travelling around Ireland on its Mobile Information Units giving free advice on all cancers but with a particular focus on Cervical Cancer. The Foundation has worked hard over the last 5 years to raise awareness of cervical cancer and campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of a vaccination programme for teenage girls, in line with best practice in other European countries.

Lillian McGovern, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation said “In 2011, the Foundation’s cervical cancer campaign got a significant boost thanks to Health Minister James Reilly’s announcement on the 26^th of May of the intention to extend the cervical cancer vaccination programme to 6th year students from September 2011. This catch-up programme will go a long way to ensuring that many women’s lives are saved from this dreadful disease and this, along with the national screening programme for women from the age of 25 is a significant development for the health and welfare of women.”

Cervical Cancer is the second most common female cancer in Europe. A cervical smear test can detect pre-cancerous changes in the cervix which is completely curable. However, if left untreated, these cells may develop into Cervical Cancer. Pre-cancerous cell changes do not usually have any symptoms, which is why it is so important to have regular smear tests. To learn more about cervical screening, log onto www.cervicalcheck.ie or call 1800 45 45 55[i].

All school girls in first year of second level school now get a free vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer. In total 48,501 girls in first and second year of second level school completed the 3 dose course of HPV vaccine in the first year of the HPV vaccination programme giving an uptake rate of 81.9%. A catch-up programme for sixth year girls commenced in September 2011 for the academic year 2011/2012 and will also run in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 academic years[ii]. Older girls and women not included in the national vaccination programme may also benefit from vaccination so talk to your GP about options available to you.

Caption; TV3 presenter Anna Daly is pictured at the launch of the Marie Keating Foundation’s Cervical Cancer Awareness campaign which runs throughout May promoting early detection and dispelling the myths about Cervical Cancer and Cervical Screening. As the pearl is the international symbol for Cervical Cancer, pearl bracelets will be on sale in Marks & Spencer and selected stockists nationwide in aid of the Foundation.For more information log onto www.mariekeating.ie

 Download information leaflets here or request a free information pack by calling 01 6283726 or email info@mariekeating.ie

The message from the Marie Keating Foundation this May is simple; speaking to the women in your life about Cervical Cancer will help to dispel the myths and could aid early detection so Tell her, it could save her life.

 ENDS

Media Contact: Sue Hayden, Communications Manager, Marie Keating Foundation 086 60538583/ 01 6283726

Notes to the Editor

[ii] Figures issued by HSE-National Immunisation Office, Population Health Directorate

Tuesday 10th January 2012

 Fionnuala Britton launches Great Ireland Run 2012

-European Cross Country Champion launches Ireland’s largest mixed 10k road run

- 12,000 runners, joggers and walkers in the Phoenix Park on Sunday April 15^th

- New Mini Run added for 5 to 8 year olds

The Great Ireland Run 2012 – on Sunday April 15^th in the Phoenix Park, Dublin – was launched today by Ireland’s European Cross Country champion and 2012 Olympic Games qualifier, FIonnuala Britton. 

Fionnuala finished seventh woman in the Run last year, winning the national 10k title on the way. She hopes to compete again in this year’s race.  She says: “The Great Ireland Run really is an amazing event which mixes fun, families and top-class athletics in a brilliant atmosphere.  The Phoenix Park is a stunning place to run and brings out the best in everyone – from 5 year olds to 75 year olds.”

2012 is the tenth anniversary of the event in Dublin which has grown rapidly in popularity since the first Run in 2003. Last year there were almost 11,000 participants and at least 12,000 are expected to take to the roads in the beautiful Phoenix Park which this year celebrates its own 350^th birthday.

This year’s Run will more than ever be about enjoying a full family running day as a Mini Run for 5 to 8 year olds has been added to the programme alongside a Junior Run for 9 to 15 year olds. The Mini Run and Junior Run will precede the main event over a lap of approximately 2.5 km and an adult can run /walk alongside each child in the Mini Run if they wish.  

The Run is the largest mixed 10k race in Ireland and RTE Two television will show the Run live in a special programme.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics has conferred an IAAF Silver Road Race Label on the Great Ireland Run, in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile. This is the only Irish event recognised in this way by the IAAF.

A star-studded field of international and national distance runners will compete on the day, including many of Ireland’s top male and female distance runners. Last year’s winners were Jesus Espana of Spain and Charlotte Purdue of Great Britain in 29:26 and 32:42 respectively.

The 2012 Run will once again incorporate the Irish 10k road championships and will feature most of Ireland’s top distance runners. To further incentivise elite Irish athletes and raise the standard of 10k running in the country, a prize fund is being put in place for the first ten Irish men and women.

Participants are being encouraged to raise funds for good causes and the event’s nominated charities are the Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.  The Baby Max Wings of Love Fund is the nominated charity for the Junior Run and Mini Run.

Almost 1,000 runners have already entered the event. The majority of these are from the UK and their participation will be a big boost to tourism in Dublin as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.

Entrants are asked to identify their preferred county on the entry form and before the event will receive a customised number in their county colours. Every finisher will receive a technical event T shirt, generous goody bag and chip timed results.

The 2012 Run will again feature a County Challenge competition for the Ronnie Delany Perpetual Trophy. Using the power of chip technology the county with the most finishers in a particular time frame are recorded and declared the winner. County Down won the title in 2011.

David Hart, Communications Director of race organisers Nova International said: “As in previous years, the 2012 Run will mix some of the world’s top middle distance athletes over the same course with joggers and fun runners. The event is a great day out for families and we expect that this year’s event, with the addition of the Mini Run, will attract even more runners, joggers and walkers from every county in Ireland and that all those who take part will enjoy the benefits of getting fit.”

Entries can be made online at www.greatirelandrun.org  or by calling the Great Ireland Run Hotline on 1890 930 139. More details and up to date news on the event is on Facebook and Twitter.

World Cancer Day 2012 is particularly important as it falls almost half a year after the first UN High-level Meeting on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the signing of the Political Declaration supporting prevention and control of these devastating conditions, including cancer.

World Cancer Day 2012 has been themed ‘Together it is possible’ because it is only by every person, organisation, government individually doing their part that the world will be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other NCDs by 25% by 2025.

Coming Home is an uplifting and enlightening story of one woman’s journey to recovery from breast cancer. It evolved out of a short story short-listed for the Hennessy Literary Awards by Anne Chambers who wrote the screenplay.

Coming Home is directed by Lisa Mulcahy (The Clinic) and stars the Tony-nominated and IFTA award-winning actress Dawn Bradfield. It is produced by Tile Films and funded by Nawrik, a not-for-profit family trust.

Coming Home is a creative film and also an innovative and valuable aid in spreading the message of early detection and positivity in the fight against breast cancer. The film will also be entered in international film festivals/competitions.

The film is free to download to any organisation/group/individual who wishes to avail of it as a support or fundraising tool in spreading the message of ‘making cancer less frightening by enlightening’ reflecting the ethos of Ireland’s Marie Keating Foundation an organisation at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer..

To view and download the short film click here

We are very grateful for this support and look forward to an exciting year!

http://www.thejournal.ie/irelands-breast-cancer-mortality-among-highest-in-oecd-292232-Nov2011/

24^th November 2011

Halfords Take Delivery of Marie Keating Foundation Christmas Cards

Halfords staff were happy to play Santa’s little helpers this week as they took delivery of Marie Keating Foundation charity Christmas cards.

Halfords, the high street car accessories, cycle and leisure retailer chose the Foundation as its charity of the year and packs of their Christmas cards are now available for purchase at all 24 Halfords Republic of Ireland stores.

Linda Keating, Director of Fundraising for the Marie Keating Foundation, was present to hand over the first packs of the colourful cards to Area Manager Phil Barr at the Blanchardstown store who said “We are delighted to be stocking the Foundation’s festive cards and we hope that while our customers are Christmas shopping for bikes, gifts and toys,  lots of them will take the time to buy a pack and give their support to such a good cause.” 

Linda added: “We are very pleased that Halfords has agreed to carry our Christmas cards as sales of them and our other merchandise helps to raise the funds we need to maintain our cancer services.” The Marie Keating Foundation cards are sold in packs of 12 and cost €6.

ENDS

Media Contact:

Sue Lawlor, Communications Manager 01 6283726

Halfords area manager Phil Barr is pictured with Jamie Acton taking delivery of Marie Keating Foundation charity Christmas cards from Linda Keating.

PRESS RELEASE

Santa CAUSE!

 7UP Winter Wonderland to raise over €100k for Five Irish Charities!

Five Irish voluntary organisations have been chosen as charity partners to work with 7UP Winter Wonderland over the festive season this year, to raise money for very special causes; and they have set an ambitious target of over €100,000, for the four week run of Dublin’s massive new winter park extravaganza!

Special Olympics Ireland, the sporting organisation for people with a intellectual disability; Third Age, with 1,000 older volunteers promoting the contribution of older people in Irish communities; cancer information and support charity The Marie Keating Foundation; The Variety Club children’s charity; and Irish Autism Action will all stage exciting interactive fund-raising initiatives throughout 7UP Winter Wonderland, which opens to the public on Thursday 8^th December 2011 at The Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

TV presenter & model Glenda Gilson, Fair City actress Aoibheann McCaul, septuagenarian and former model Grace O’Shaughnessy, Mr World Kamal Ibrahim, Gary O’Brien, who won a silver medal at the 2011 Special Olympics World Games in Athens and celebrity chef Dylan McGrath were among the celebrity supporters at the launch of the special fundraising drive today (Thursday 3^rd November 2011), encouraging people to check out the 7UP Winter Wonderland website over the coming weeks for details of all the charity events, and to support in whatever way they can – www.7upwinterwonderland.ie

“We have designed our fundraising, so that people can get behind the charity of their choice, and we intend to have great fun, with crazy schemes and novel entertainment at 7UP Winter Wonderland, where people can donate as little as €1 and get involved. What a great opportunity for all five charities to come together this Christmas on this fabulous event and we are all really looking forward to 7UP Winter Wonderland and to enjoying all that is on offer over the 4 weeks,” says Linda Keating, The Marie Keating Foundation, at today’s launch.

A Variety Club breakfast with Santa Claus; a Special Olympics ‘Polar Plunge’; a Santa Stroll with Father Christmas and his celebrity friends for Irish Autism Action; Third Age storytelling for grandparents and grandchildren and a celebrity Pink on the Rink ice skating session for The Marie Keating Foundation, are among the events visitors can get involved in, and, every day there will be an opportunity to spread the festive cheer by donating to a charity of choice at 7UP Winter Wonderland.    

Many of the 7UP Winter Wonderland visitor attractions are also contributing to the fundraising efforts, including Ireland’s largest covered ice rink, the Magic Wishing Well, Fossett’s Christmas Circus, and The Spiegel Saloon live music venue, with raffles, competitions, and fun challenges right across the park.   

Free Park Entry!

With no admission fee and free onsite entertainment, including free visits to Santa Claus, over 200,000 visitors from across Ireland are expected to visit Dublin’s inaugural 7UP Winter Wonderland.

This new entertainment offering, backed by multi-national music group AEG, and Dublin’s Synergy Events, offers a host of festive attractions in one major venue featuring Ireland’s largest covered ice rink, with a dedicated children’s rink, a Christmas Circus, Continental Markets, festive and thrilling rides, heated indoor bars and cafes, and the main man himself, Santa Claus, who takes up residence in Santa’s Christmas Village, with free visits for the younger children.

Tickets for 7UP Winter Wonderland features are on sale now through www.ticketmaster.ie, where visitors can book in advance for up to 20% savings on combined ice skating and circus tickets, for individuals and families.

Christmas parties, school tours, and company outings are also now booking.  For more information, or to book group hospitality, accommodation packages, or bespoke parties, call +353 (0)1 212 1950 or visit www.7upwinterwonderland.ie 

For further information please contact:

Caroline Moody on 00353 87 2652485 cm@carolinemoodycommunications.comwww.7upwinterwonderland.ie

Sue Lawlor 00 353 86 6053853 slawlor@mariekeating.ie