This year’s Relay for Life Donegal has raised an incredible €137,584.66 for cancer care services and research.
The grand total was revealed last night at a special appreciation evening for all the volunteers who made this year’s event a massive success.
Twenty-eight teams from across the county were involved in the 24-hour walk at the ATU Letterkenny campus in June. Those participants and many more volunteers have been praised for their dedication to celebrating the lives of cancer survivors, remembering those lost to the disease and raising funds for vital research and services of the Irish Cancer Society.
The funds raised will be used to benefit patients and their families in Donegal.
Corrinne Hasson, Director of Services at the Irish Cancer Society outlined how last year’s funds were used, providing 188 nights of in-home Night Nursing for Donegal patients in their final days, 480 trips by Volunteer Driver Service safely bringing patients to and from chemotherapy, and 803 contacts from Donegal to the Support Line.
Team represenatives display this years total of €137,584.66 at the presentation of the Donegal Relay for Life 2023 funds to the Irish Cancer Society. Photo Clive Wasson
Last night’s event was also a poignant one for Robert O’Connor as he stepped down as Chairperson after 11 years. Robert is one of the original members of the committee that got the first annual Relay for Life Donegal on the road in 2011. Since then, a staggering €1,675,000 has been raised for the Irish Cancer Society.
Robert passes the baton to Seamus Devine, who shared his excitement for what the Relay for Life will achieve in the years to come. There are ambitious plans to grow the school education and awareness programme in Donegal, informing young people about cancer and healthy lifestyle choices.
Seamus formally announced that the 2024 Relay for Life Donegal is now open for team registrations. The event returns to the ATU Letterkenny campus on the 25th and 26th of May 2024.
Seamus Devine the new Chairman of the Donegal Relay for Life Committee speaking at the Relay for Life 2023 presentations on Tuesday night. Photo Clive Wasson
Special presentations were made to each team that took part in the 2023 Relay, as well as some outstanding supporters of the event. Tracey McBride was honoured for her work on the 1 for 1 @ 1 challenge in schools, as well as Highland Radio’s Lee Gooch who helped promote the initiative with great enthusiasm every day in May.
The Gordy Klatt award – the highest level of appreciation from Relay For Life – was presented to Paul Hannigan, Head of College ATU Donegal, and to Robert O’Connor.
If you would like to register your team for Relay for Life Donegal 2024, please get in touch with a committee member or contact relayforlifedonegal@gmail.com.
See photos from the evening here by Clive Wasson:
Gordy Klatt Award recipents at the presentation of the Relay for Life 2023 presentation night on Tuesday last Robert O’Connor and Paul Hannigan. Photo Clive Wasson
Corrinne Hasson, Irish Cancer Society receives the cheque for €137,584.66 from Drew Corry, Treasurer, raised at this years Donegal Relay For Life. Photo Clive Wasson
The Survivors Choir performing at the presentation of the Donegal Relay for Life 2023 funds to the Irish Cancer Society. Photo Clive Wasson
Team and Committee members presenting Corrinne Hasson, Irish Cancer Society with a cheque for €137,584.66 raised at this years Donegal Relay For Life. Photo Clive Wasson
Robert O’Connor congratulates Seamus Devine on his new role as Chariman of Donegal Relay for Life presentations 2023. Photo Clive Wasson
Robert O’Connor receiving the Gordy Klatt award from Corrinne Hasson Irish Cancer Society speaking at the Donegal Relay for Life presentations on Tuesday. Photo Clive Wasson