Thank you for taking the time to visit our fundraising page.

Gareth Wakefield and Eoin Doyle are both taking part in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2023 and have chosen to raise funds for The Irish Cancer Society and Purple House Cancer Support. Purple House are an amazing charity who offer incredible, vital support to children, teenagers and adults all of whom are affected by Cancer. All their services are free of charge and that's why we feel it is even more important to raise funds for all the outstanding work they do.

Over the past 7 months, we have seen first hand in how they have helped one of our very good friends John, get through unimaginable grief, as his wife Cora sadly passed away from Cervical Cancer, leaving behind not only her husband, but her 15 month old baby girl Lyla.

Cora's story

Cora was 37 weeks pregnant in November 2021 and a decision was made to induce her at this stage of pregnancy. After having a cesarean section, and all the joy of welcoming their beautiful baby girl Lyla into the world, sadly, 5 hours later Cora was told that she had Cervical Cancer. A treatment plan was put in place quite quickly once Cora had fully recovered from the C-Section. She began 6 weeks of daily radiation treatment followed by chemotherapy treatment weekly.

By April 2022, Cora received the amazing news that she was Cancer free. While this is what every Cancer patient wishes to hear, unfortunately everything that Cora bravely put her body through to get to this moment began to catch up on her. All the side effects from all the treatment resulted in many stays in hospital, some for a few weeks at a time.

But Cora was adamant on going on a first sun holiday as a family of three and also to celebrate her 40th birthday in August 2022. 5 days into that holiday Cora found a lump, near the scar she had from the C-Section. She became quite sick on the holiday and the day she arrived home she went straight to the hospital for a further 2 weeks where it was later confirmed that the Cancer had returned and this time had spread.

A new treatment plan was put in place, but this time was purely just to slow down the spread of the disease. Cora showed so much strength throughout the new treatment plan but far too many different side effects were taking their toll.

In January 2023, Cora was again admitted to hospital and by the end of that month she was told she would not be leaving the hospital and that she would begin Pallative care.

On the 21st February 2023, Cora sadly lost her battle to this horrible disease, she was robbed of so much, but left so many people with so many great memories and she will never ever be forgotten.

Please, if you can donate to these amazing charities no matter how big or small, everything is much appreciated.

Thank you

Gareth Wakefield & Eoin Doyle

(Gaz and Doyler!)