A CORK primary school teacher has raised over €31,000 in support of cancer patients and services ahead of the upcoming Vancouver Marathon.

Caoimhe O’Sullivan, currently living in Canada, will take on the 42km marathon on May 3rd, but for her this year’s challenge represents far more than just another race.

She is running in loving memory of her uncle Donal Butcher O’Sullivan, who sadly passed away from cancer last December after a brave battle at The Glandore Centre.

She says that is a ‘testament to the man’ her uncle Donal was and the impact he had on so many, across all aspects of his life - through business, football and golf, whether at home in Castletownbere or in his adopted ‘happy place’ Vilamoura.

‘Donal had three Fs that were important to him,’ said Caoimhe, ‘family, football and fishing. His ability to connect with people, be it in everyday life or football, was palpable.

‘He was a larger than life character, with an infectious personality, incredible positive energy, and great humour. Donal always went out of his way for everyone else.’

Caoimhe is also running in honour of her mother, Déirdre, who is currently undergoing treatment at Cork University Hospital following a recent leukaemia diagnosis.

Her campaign in support of Aid Cancer Treatment received €12,000 in donations in the first 24 hours alone when she set it up in January. To date her page on iDonate.ie has climbed to over €31,000, with donations open until May 10th.

Every euro raised will help Aid Cancer Treatment continue its mission of improving facilities, services and supports for cancer patients in Cork, while also contributing to ongoing cancer research efforts in the region.

Funding from Aid Cancer Treatment supported the recent provision of flow cytometry equipment to University College Cork, Department of Surgery, on the CUH campus.

Dr Cathríona Foley said: ‘This equipment has had an immediate impact on our research assessing whether an imbalance in a patient’s immune response before or after surgery may contribute to the return of cancer after surgery.

‘Everyone at Aid Cancer Treatment has been deeply moved by Caoimhe’s courage, positivity and determination. To raise such a huge amount is extraordinary.

‘To do so while carrying such deeply personal meaning makes it even more powerful. As race day approaches, we simply want to say thank you.

‘Thank you Caoimhe, for your effort, your strength, and for turning personal loss into hope for others.’

To support Caoimhe’s fundraiser visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/caoimheosullivan.