Cheque Presentation for Relay for Life 2013!

The first ever Relay for Life Kilkenny took place this past July at The Watershed. On Friday night in Bridies Bar, Relayers and Survivors joined together to celebrate a successful event and present a cheque to the Irish Cancer Society.

Over €39,000 was raised and Committee Chairperson, Jo Kelly said, “the enthusiasm in the community has been incredible. It is truly something that is just going to continue to grow and gain momentum and everyone is already looking forward to Relay for Life 2014.”  

Left to Right: Matt Lewis, Irish Cancer Society, cancer survivors Bridget Lannon, Aideen Blanchfield, Kathleen O'Sullivan, Joanne Brennan, Survivors' Chair, Jo Kelly, Committee Chairperson.

Heather the Heifer's Big Day

A Story of Community Spirit: Heather the Heifer Raises €8,500 for Relay for Life Kilkenny

It was an exciting day at The Mart Kilkenny today as the businesses of Cillín Hill finished their fundraising for Relay for Life Kilkenny with the much anticipated auction of Heather the Heifer.

When the staff of the Cillín Hill businesses decided to take part in Relay for Life, they decided to raise money through the purchase of a calf or heifer to raffle at the event. Christy Comerford was approached and asked if he would sell them a suitable animal for raffle. As it happened, Christy and his wife Marguerite had reason to attend St Luke’s County Hospital with one of their daughters and were met with such kindness that they agreed that if the opportunity came by to help out others in some way they would do what they could. This generous spirit led them to give a pedigree Charolois heifer by the name of Knockmahon Heather free of charge. On behalf of the Relay Teams, he kept and fed Heather, even bringing her to The Mart to help encourage the sale of raffle tickets, with the family even selling tickets themselves. 

On 21^st July the draw took place at the Relay for Life event. Paula Stapleton, member of the Relay Team said, “Approximately €6,000 was raised by the Cillín Hill businesses and staff and the heifer was won by Thomas and Eileen Nallen of Banagher, County Offaly. They requested that they would like to redonate the heifer to be auctioned and raise further funds.” The Comerford family continued to care for Knockmahon Heather until the auction on the 3^rd of October.

With great anticipation, auctioneer and Relay Team Member and event emcee George Chandler took to the podium and in front of the huge crowd started the bidding. “The commission charges have been waived for the sale of the generously donated Knockmahon Heather, with every bit raised will be going to Relay for Life,” said George Chandler from the podium. The beautiful pedigree heifer was sold for €2,000, all of which will be donated on top of the €6,000 raised through the sale of raffle tickets. Volunteers were also on hand collecting donations during the action, with farmers charitably contributing a further €492 to the cause.

Christy, Marguerite and their two young daughters, Collette and Cynthia were happy that Knockmahon Heather, who had become a part of their family would be staying in the parish.  John Murphy of Clara is the new proud owner of this Pedigree Charolais heifer! The Cillin Hill Businesses Relay Teams would like to thank everyone involved for their generosity. 

A Sneak Peak of Amanda Burke Photography's Photos!

Thank you!

Paint the Town Purple

To all the shop and business owners and businesses of Kilkenny: We're asking you to help us paint the town purple on 20 and 21 July for Relay for Life Kilkenny!

Purple is the colour of HOPE, the colour our survivors wear as they walk the track and the colour we'd love to see all over Kilkenny while our Relayers are walking the track at The Watershed.

We're asking you to put your best purple merchandise in the window that weekend, or put purple balloons or decoration in your windows or somewhere that the public can see it. We want to show our survivors that the people of Kilkenny are behind them 100% and that we stand together to fight back against this terrible disease!

Email us a photo of your display to relaykkmedia@gmail.com or upload it to Facebook or Twitter and use hashtag #relaykk so we can see your displays.

If you would like a poster to put in your shop window to let the community know that you plan to go purple this weekend, just email relaykkmedia@gmail.com and we'll send you one that you can print off and display.

The survivors of Kilkenny will select the winner form all of the entries, which we will announce on Sunday the 21st.

Our Youngest Relayer's Adventures with the Hope Monks

A story from Joanne Brennan, our Survivor Chair this evening:

"I'm a big believer in fate, Que Sera Sera and things happening for reasons, so will just share this little story..... 

Earlier this afternoon my little girl whilst under the watchful eye of her dad (although I reckon he was watching the match more than his child) managed to get into the room where I have all my Relay stuff stored. She found the Jerpoint glass pebbles and monks and must have had a field day throwing them around the room cos she does love throwing things around, and it was only when she came out to me in the garden with a handful that I realised what was going on! 

Anyway, I managed to collect them all up, the lady in Jerpoint told me that they had done a few extra for is for free, so I reckoned that once I had collected and accounted for 260 then that was job done.  

I've just put Elaine to bed and tidied up her toys and found another little monk, only this one didn't have a happy face, it had a sad one like the Jerpoint worry monks, even though it was purple and in the box with all the others.  I've gone through them all and it is the only sad one in there.  It was like she had found that one and purposely taken him out and hid it to prevent a survivor picking it up on Saturday.  

Now a complete coincidence it might be, but I prefer to think of it as a little sign that what we are doing is meant to be done and it will be brilliant. 

G'Night, God Bless!"

We loved that story. At 18 months, Elaine is a true Relayer. Please sponsor our little quality control Relayer on her mission to make only happy monks in this world! She's not only keeping survivors from the sad monks but doing her own sponsored lap on Sunday!!

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/elaines_relay_for_life/

Survivor Profile: Bernie's Story

Why she's proud to wear purple and be a member of the organising committee!

“I felt good getting involved in our first Relay as I had done a lot of charity work in the past. I didn't realize though how big it really was until I got involved with the committee and experienced my first Relay last year as joint Survivor Chair. It really blew me away. Here was I getting involved to give something back and send gratitude to my family, friends, doctors, and medical staff but what I got in return was - wow - a real emotional, feel good feeling. It was fantastic to see so many survivors there - around 480 and this year we had 458 registered.

Relay is mainly all about survivors and spreading hope for others going through similar experience. They definitely spread hope - so much so that when I contacted them this year to participate they had no hesitation to join. Those who attended last year but had got a diagnosis since had a positive attitude as they remembered last year’s event. Two ladies who were survivors last year came up to me at the end of the event and said they did not want to go home as they knew they would be so lonely. They had such a good time and made so many friends. This for me was what made me realise that it was a success. The money part takes second place to me and the people take first. I was delighted to hear that those who had gone through such worry and treatment could begin to enjoy themselves again.

The Relay track turns into a field of stories for survivors. They can release all their emotions during the 24 hours. They cry, laugh, enjoy life, think of sad times etc. and this is all part of the healing process. They can tell their stories to others whom they never met before and feel good afterwards.

Seeing people do this and feel good about themselves again, gave me so much satisfaction. As a survivor, I see this is what people need to keep them motivated. They forget their own worries once they step onto the track as they are doing this for others. After all, isn't this what life should be about - helping others?

I am really glad I got involved and it always makes me feel good when I see others feeling good."