Next Event
14th July
The Make Your Mark on Cancer Charity Walk is a 22km walk from The Viaduct Bar to The Bandon Town Hall which takes place this year on Sunday July 14th at 9:00am. There will be complimentary buses generously provided by our sponsor McCarthy’s Coaches leaving from Kelleher’s Builder Providers from 08:00am to drop walkers to The Viaduct to begin their walk.
This fun walk is catered for all ages as the route is not too challenging, it has various refreshment and toilet stops on the way. There is also another staring point at the Innishannon Parish Hall for those who would prefer to enjoy a shorter walk.
If you would like to be part of this event and help raise funds for the mercy Hospital Foundation, there are 3 different ways that you can fundraise:
1. Request a sponsor card so that you can fundraise by receiving donations from family, friends and work colleagues.
2. Register online by clicking the ‘Register Here’ button on the top of this page.
3. Register on the morning of the walk at The Viaduct Inn Bar.
Remember, registration is 25.00, or you can participate for FREE by taking a sponsor card
Our Story
Not too long after the passing of Mark Prendergast who lost his battle with testicular cancer in 2012, family and friends of Mark merged together to organise a charity climb to the top of Carrauntoohill in Mark’s memory while at the same time trying to raise some much needed funds for The Mercy Hospital Foundation where Mark had been in & out receiving treatment through his 5 year battle with cancer.
A group of nearly 70 people climbed Carrauntoohill on that wet & windy day in July 2012 and together raised an astonishing €13,600 for The Mercy Hospital Foundation. It was then realised what amazing things can be achieved when people come together. In 2013 a small group came together to resurrect a very popular charity walk from the Viaduct to Bandon under the new name “Make Your Mark on Cancer Charity Walk”. It soon came to light that this was now an opportunity for people to make a real difference and Honour the Taken, Admire the Survivors and Support the Fighters of cancer.
We Support
-
The Mercy Hospital Foundation
Make Your Mark on Cancer has fundraised primarily for The Mercy Hospital Foundation since the fundraising group’s inception in 2012. The reason being is that the Mercy cared for our loved one ‘Mark Prendergast’ while he was going through his cancer journey.
The love and support that Mark and his family received from the staff of the Mercy was unmeasurable and we will be forever greatful.
-
The Mercy Cancer CARE Centre
For the last number of years, we have been raising funds to develop the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre at 9 Dyke Parade, close to the Mercy Hospital. Construction is now complete and will be open to receive patients for psycho-oncology services in the spring of 2024.
The Mercy Cancer CARE Centre will be a non-clinical facility to provide a quiet and safe place for patients and families to access an increasingly necessary range of services to support those affected by a cancer diagnosis.
-
Testicular Talks
We are also sponsoring Testicular Cancer Awareness Talks in second level schools across Cork, which will be rolled out in 2023. Delivered by Paul Ahern, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Urology, our talks are delivered to male students (TY, 5th and 6th years). This programme, which is unique to the Mercy Hospital Foundation, informs and educates young men about the signs and symptoms of Testicular Cancer.
