Hurling for cancer raises 300000

Horse trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Davy Russell have announced that they have raised an incredible €300,000 for the Irish Cancer Society’s work in Cancer Research. They have generated this huge sum through their annual celebrity hurling match, which takes place in Kildare each August and brings together stars from screen and sport across the country to play a special charity hurling match. 2014’s event brought in just over €100,000 – contributing to the overall total announnced today.

Hurling for Cancer Research began in 2012, since then Jim Bolger’s 'Stars' have faced off against Davy Russell’s 'Best' for the last three years. The first two matches ended in a draw but last year saw Jim Bolger’s Stars take victory. This year’s game, which will take place Tuesday 11th August in St Conleth’s Park, is eagerly anticipated, especially by Davy Russell’s Best who are keen to claim victory.

Participants at last year's event included, a mix of GAA and horse racing stars; Mark Landers, T.J. Ryan , Pat Fox, Joe Deane, Dave Bernie, Damien Fitzhenry and Charlie Carter; All Ireland minor winner James Dowling who captains team J.S.B.; Wexford all Ireland winning manager Liam Griffin; Kilkenny Manager Brian Cody; Derby winning Jockeys Kevin Manning and Michael J. Kinane; Colm O’Rourke; Gráinne Seoige; Michael O’Leary; Ronnie Delaney; Sile Seoige; Irish Sports Woman of the year, top jockey Katie Walsh; Niall Quinn; hurling legends D.J. Carey and Nicky English; and Cyril Farrell as Referee for the day. Irish icon Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh will be the days craoltoir. Anthony Kearns will sing Amhrán na bhFiann.

Jim Bolger said: “On behalf of myself and Davy, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported this event over the last three years. All those that donned jerseys and took to the field for a great evening of hurling; everyone that bought tickets and donated; and every sponsor, helper and entertainer that has contributed. It takes an army of support to make an event like this possible and I am so grateful for all the backing received. The enthusiasm and dedication of all involved makes for a wonderfully entertaining evening and a tremondously successful fundraisier for a very important cause.”

Mark Mellett, head of fundraising, Irish Cancer Society said: “We are blown away by the massive sum of money that Jim Bolger and Davy Russell have raised with their wonderful event. This money will be put to work funding cancer research projects that will one day improve the lives of those with cancer – developing better treatments and techniques to diagnose and treat this disease. The annual hurling match has become a real fixture in our calendars and it is something we all look forward too each year. We hope that the 2015 game will be the best ever. Events like this make our research possible.”

A recent research breakthrough, funded by the Irish Cancer Society and Health Research Board, found that women who had been prescribed aspirin regularly before being diagnosed with breast cancer were less likely to have cancer that spread to the lymph-nodes than women who were not on prescription aspirin. The next step in this research will be to investigate how aspirin may have this effect.

To answer this question, Irish Cancer Society BREAST-PREDICT researchers are looking to gather information on exposure to this medicine from almost 3,000 breast cancer patients around the country. Patients participating in this study will be asked to answer some questions on their recent exposure to aspirin, information which can then be analysed by researchers. Scientists will also carry out laboratory-based studies to examine the mechanisms by which this drug might act to reduce the risk of breast cancer spreading.

For further information on the Irish Cancer Society’s Research Programme or Hurling For Cancer Research please visit www.cancer.ie