Run against cancer

Hello everyone! On the 5th July 2025 myself & a number of close friends will be running the Clontarf half marathon in aid of 2 charities; The Irish Cancer Society and the North West Hospice.

My name is Jessica Gilhooly and this is the hardest story I have ever had the privilege of writing.

On the 4th June 2024 while I was living abroad I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. I was young, fit, healthy & displayed no symptoms - it shouldn't have happened to me. I had roughly a 2% chance of having breast cancer at that age. Following a month of tests, I had surgery & later found out that I had stage 2 breast cancer. After my surgery, I had a complication which resulted in huge nerve damage & the loss of movement from my entire left arm, the chances of this happening was 1 in 10,000. I made a decision then that I would get better & run a half marathon in aid of cancer, a decision my friends quickly supported me with.

Upon getting back to Ireland I begun treatment & thought the hardest part of my life was finally coming to a close. What's harder than going through cancer is watching someone you love go through it. My mother was then diagnosed 8 months later on the 4th February 2025 with terminal stomach cancer. She lived for 22 days with her diagnosis. Only with the support of the North West Hospice and The Irish Cancer Society were we able to have her home where she belonged for that time.

So, that is my story. Cancer has taken so much from me but it has also given me gratitude. Being able to run has gotten me through some of my darkest days & I count myself lucky that I am able to do it.

So, if you can.. please donate. I will be splitting the funds between the 2 charities. There is not a direct option on gofundme to have more than 1 charity so I will collect the money directly and donate it after the half marathon.

Thank you