2024 ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk, dedicated to Micheál Sheridan, raises €66,528 for Mercy Cancer Appeal

This year’s ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk on July 23rd saw the largest turnout to date, with 380 walkers taking to the road for the 22km walk from The Viaduct to the Town Hall in Bandon, raising a phenomenal €66,528 for the Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Appeal. 

Organisers of the popular charity walk dedicated this year’s event to Micheál Sheridan, CEO of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, who sadly lost his battle with cancer on June 4th, after a short illness. This year’s walk also marked a very special milestone in the history of the event, as the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre, which was a long term ambition of the organising committee, opened its doors earlier this year. To mark this, the organising committee felt it was fitting to honour Micheál, as he was instrumental in bringing the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre to fruition.

Damien Prendergast, Chairman of the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ committee said “We first started organising this event to honour and remember my brother Mark; but this year we dedicated it to the memory of Micheál Sheridan, who did so much to advance cancer care at ‘The Mercy’. 

“Little did we know back in 2013 the impact that the event would have on other families who would find themselves in a similar situation to ours, facing a tough cancer journey. The new Cancer CARE Centre is, and will be, a tremendous resource and source of support to the many families who are in the midst of a cancer journey, be it their own or a loved ones. We are so proud to see the project come to fruition and open its doors; and it is, in no small part, thanks to the support of everyone who has participated and supported ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ over the last 11 years.”

Deirdre Finn, Interim CEO and Head of Fundraising at the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, said “This year’s ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk was especially poignant, as Micheál Sheridan had lost his battle with cancer in June. Dedicating this year’s walk to Micheál was a lovely gesture by the organising committee, and we thank them for that. We are so appreciative to once again be the beneficiary of this ever popular event, and would like to express our gratitude to everyone who made this year’s event such a success.”