The importance of early cancer detection is focus of Marie Keating Foundation’s show garden at Bloom 2025

• Marie Keating Foundation unveils ‘Early Bird Catches the Worm’ Garden at Bord Bia Bloom 2025.
• Cancer prevention also highlighted at the garden, with research indicating that 4 in 10 cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes.
• Visitors can visit the Marie Keating Foundation Show Garden from 29^th May to 2nd June at Bord Bia Bloom at Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Dublin, 28 May 2025 – The Marie Keating Foundation today launched their ‘Early Bird Catches the Worm’ Garden at Bord Bia Bloom 2025. Inspired by the idiom ‘the early bird catches the worm’, the garden features a large wooden birdhouse, created to emphasise the critical importance of early cancer detection and raise awareness of cancer prevention.

The garden represents a collaboration between the Marie Keating Foundation, AstraZeneca Ireland and Gilead Sciences Ireland, who are united in their mission to combat cancer through widespread awareness. Their joint aim is to encourage early intervention to significantly enhance treatment outcomes and ultimately save lives.

Designed by award-winning, Monaghan-based gardener Benny Magennis, this thoughtfully designed space serves as a reminder that through education and proactive measures, we can work towards a future with less fear surrounding cancer. This being his fourth time at Bord Bia Bloom, Benny explains why this garden is particularly meaningful:

“The Marie Keating Foundation provides such vital support supports to those on a cancer journey, and this was at the forefront of my mind when designing and developing the garden. I wanted it to reflect the key messages around education and awareness, while also creating a space that fosters a sense of community.

“Like so many families in Ireland, my own has been deeply affected by cancer. I’ve witnessed firsthand how it impacts not only the individual but also their loved ones. That personal experience inspired me to design a space that highlights the importance of caring for one another, offering support, and finding strength and peace during difficult times.

“These themes are woven throughout the garden – from the birdhouse symbolising the importance of early detection, to the planting scheme that represents Ireland’s five most common cancers: breast, skin, lung, bowel, and prostate.”

Every element of the garden works together to highlight the importance of healthy lifestyle choices that reduce cancer risk. The sheltered area beneath the birdhouse promotes sun safety awareness, while the vegetable patch represents the significance of nutrition. The paths encourage people to engage in outdoor activities as part of a healthy lifestyle and the seating area symbolises the community support provided by the Marie Keating Foundation for those on a cancer journey.

Sharing his story to support the Marie Keating Foundation is Jim Sheehan, who was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010.

“I had just turned 40 and getting cancer was something that had never even crossed my mind. My family had noticed changes on my skin, but I brushed them off for a while, before eventually going to the doctor when I noticed moles on my arms on back. That decision saved my life.”

The Cork man continued:

“I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and had to have multiple surgeries over a 3-month period. 25 years later, I’m extremely grateful to be able to tell my story – but I know it could have been a very different outcome had I not gotten checked. I can’t over emphasise the importance of early detection and I encourage people to please go to their doctor if they have any suspicion of changes on their skin. It’s also so important to be aware of how you can best protect yourself and your skin.”

Research indicates that 4 in 10 cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes. Cancer has become more prevalent in Ireland over the last two decades, and the incidence of cancer is expected to increase substantially by 2045 if current rates continue.[1]

The Marie Keating Foundation is committed to being there for people and their families at every step of their cancer journey, providing information, education and support services.

Commenting on another year participating in Bord Bia Bloom, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation and cancer survivor, Liz Yeates said,

“We at the Marie Keating Foundation are delighted to return once again to Bord Bia Bloom, which has become a staple calendar event that we look forward to every year. It is a very special opportunity to raise cancer awareness in a personal way, meeting the wider public face to face. Our gardener Benny Magennis has designed a beautiful space that uniquely represents our key message of the importance of early cancer detection through a large birdhouse. Just as the early bird catches the worm, early detection can significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients. Our aim is for those who visit our garden to leave more informed on cancer, how to prevent it and the importance of early detection.”

Reflecting on the show garden this year, Alex Wilkes, Country President, AstraZeneca Ireland (Commercial Operations) said,

“AstraZeneca is proud to sponsor the Marie Keating Foundation’s ‘Early Bird Catches the Worm’ Garden at Bord Bia Bloom 2025. Our commitment to patients drives everything we do, and we strive to push the boundaries of science to improve outcomes for all cancer patients. Understanding the signs and symptoms of cancer is essential for early diagnosis. By encouraging visitors to explore the garden’s informative materials, we hope to bring greater awareness of these symptoms and open more conversations around early detection.”

Commenting on this collaboration with the Marie Keating Foundation, Killian MacDonald, Director Commercial Operations, Gilead Sciences Ireland said,

“The Marie Keating Foundation’s ‘Early Bird Catches the Worm’ Garden represents our shared mission to combat cancer through widespread awareness. At Gilead, collaborating with patient organisations and the broader oncology community is an essential part of our mission to transform how cancer is treated and bring more life to people with cancer. Through this show garden we hope to amplify the educational resources and support services provided by organisations such as the Marie Keating Foundation, which are crucial in addressing care disparities and ensuring equitable access to cancer care.”

Visitors can visit the Marie Keating Foundation Show Garden from 29^th May to 2^nd June at Bord Bia Bloom at Phoenix Park, Dublin.

After Bord Bia Bloom, the garden will move to a permanent home at Cork Ark Centre where it will serve as a community stronghold where support networks thrive, and where crucial health messages about early detection are shared with every visitor.

[1] Cancer in Ireland – Marie Keating Foundation