Today, on Mother’s Day 2024, the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) organised ‘Walk In Pink’, a seven kilometer walk to raise money to fundraise to support breast cancer research. 

Raising awareness

Participants walked in honour of those lost to breast cancer. All funds raised will go to the breast cancer research team based at the Lambe Institute at the University of Galway, led by Professor Michael Kerin. 

“We walk in the memory of people who we love,” said Orla Sweeney, a young participant who walked with her mother Jordi on this cloudy Sunday.

Jordi Sweeney has been living in Galway city for 36 years now. She lost her mother to breast cancer in 2009. She says the cancer was detected too late. 

For her, these events raise awareness and help women catch cancer signs early. She also enjoyed the event because “it brings everybody together”. 

Many different people attended the walk. Young women, kids, babies, grandmas, and men were amongst the attendees coming together to celebrate all those fighting breast cancer.

Walking for a good cause

According to the NBCRI, one in seven women will develop breast cancer during her life.  

NBCRI chapters organised walks around the country today. In Galway, the walk began in the morning, lasting into the afternoon. Participants were required to pay €25 to register, all proceeds going to the NBCRI’s fundraising page.

Donations can be made on the ‘Walk In Pink’ website as well as on participants’ IDonate pages. The donation portals will remain open until 10 April.