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Aileen Murphy takes on Great Dublin Bike Ride for Irish Cancer Society

Aileen Murphy pictured above was so inspired by the work of the Irish Cancer Society she wanted to find a way to support them as they supported her during one of the toughest times of her life.

Aileen Murphy takes on Great Dublin Bike Ride for Irish Cancer Society

By I Love Limerick correspondent Mary Caroline McCarthy

Aileen Murphy

Aileen pictured with her mam Mary before her diagnosis


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In August last year, Limerick lady Aileen Murphy found a lump in her breast and went to get it checked immediately where she was then diagnosed with Grade 3 Breast Cancer on August 14, 2019, and has recently just finished her treatment.  This diagnosis came as a huge shock, as she had just arrived home from a fun holiday with her brother and nephews. After the initial shock of the diagnosis, Aileen became calm and accepting and prepared herself for the next few months knowing how difficult it would be. However, nothing could have prepared her for the outpour of love and support from her family, friends, and the community.

“I never knew the power of a text message. People constantly texted me with lovely messages, it was so uplifting. I had so many coffee and lunch dates with friends and family. I don’t think people realise how wonderful it is to get a text on chemo day saying Good Luck!”

Aileen also feels very lucky to have had the help of the Irish Cancer Society Volunteer Driver Scheme. On chemo days an ICS volunteer driver would come and collect her and bring her to the hospital. They greeted her with a smile and made the hard days better.

“Volunteer drivers from the ICS collected me on chemo days and brought me to the hospital. They are amazing people. They travel long distances early in the morning and greet you with a big smile. It’s such a comforting way to start a chemo day.”

Aileen Murphy

Aileen pictured with her mam Mary during her treatment

Aileen was so inspired by the work of the Irish Cancer Society she wanted to find a way to support them as they supported her during one of the toughest times of her life. Considering this, Aileen decided to take on the Great Dublin Bike Ride for Charity and decided to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society so people can know more about the impact made by this amazing charity.

“All the staff in the Oncology Department are so friendly, caring and helpful. They made chemo day so much easier. I feel very lucky to have wonderful people in my life who have made me feel so loved and special. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I am doing the cycle on Sunday as a way of giving back and saying thanks to the Irish Cancer Society. I really hope to raise funds to help this wonderful service.”

The Great Dublin Charity Bike Ride takes place this Sunday, September 27.  Aileen is cycling in this because she feels very strongly about the ICS and the work they do to help people. Any help you have to offer would be kindly appreciated, she started this journey with a goal of €750 and has already gone above and beyond what she expected raising just over €2,200 which will make a huge difference to a non-profit like the Irish Cancer Society.

Some ten months on from Aileen’s initial diagnosis, she has now finished her radiotherapy and she has some strong words of advice for anyone who finds themselves in the same position as she did when she noticed an unusual change in her body that fateful day saying, “You know your own body better than anyone else, GPs and the health service is still here for us, so don’t delay in getting yourself checked out.”

We at I Love Limerick wish Aileen well on her journey!

 

To donate to Aileen’s fundraiser go HERE 

For more stories on the Irish Cancer Society, go HERE 

 

 

 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.