Beat breast cancer

In honour of this amazing woman Sharon O’Brien I will be completing my first triathalon since 2015 on the 3rd of June. Sharon lost her fight to breast cancer almost 2 years ago and in honour of her lust for life and determination to live her best life I wanted to do something that would honour her memory.

A little background… in 2015 I booked my first triathlon however was not confident it was something I could do and thought of withdrawing. Sharon wouldn’t hear of it and signed up for it herself and trained with me giving me tips for swimming in the sea and running with me helping me to keep pace. Unfortunately due to a medical issue I wasn’t able to take part in that triathlon but Sharon did… it was, by all accounts not for the faint hearted and Sharon had a smile on her face the whole time. It inspired me and I went on to complete 8 triathalons and 6 half marathons over the next few years and Sharon was one of my biggest supporters.

Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 but like during the triathalon she smiled and was positive through it all. By a cruel twist of fate Covid appeared which meant our last year was robbed with Sharon as communication could only happen over the phone and meeting in person was not an option. After a long fight full of dignity and poise Sharon lost her fight.

Needless to say she has been a major loss to not only her family but all those who knew her.

I was thinking of Sharon (as I do often, she is never far from our minds) while I was out running one day and was thinking about our triathalon and wondering how I could honour her memory appropriately. In my email inbox when I got home was a notification to register for a triathalon on June 3rd. I couldn’t ado for anymore of a sign than that.

so I have decided that raising money for breast cancer is appropriate. It also honours my amazing sister from another mister Margaret Marchetti who was recently diagnosed and has undergone a double mastectomy and has documented and educated her journey and is a good example of us women advocating for ourselves if we think something is wrong.

For all the women in my life and the future generations of women I hope that by completing a triathalon in Sharon’s memory and raising even a little bit of money can go some way to finding a cure for this illness that has touched most of our lives in some way.

Every little helps…

Thanks

Catherine