Mary Philbin fundraiser this Sunday
A day-long fundraising event titled ‘A Day for Mary’, aimed at supporting Blacklion girl Mary Philbin’s treatment and recovery from cancer in the US, is to take place in Cavan Town this weekend (Sunday, May 12).
Organised by inspirational cancer survivor Liam Ryan from Westmeath, the day will incorporate a 10-kilometre run, starting at Cavan Institute, taking in one loop of the ‘triangle’ before travelling out towards Loreto Cross, via Farnham, by the hospital entrance, then Station Road, Farnham Street before finishing back at the college.
The run will begin at 2pm, registration starting at 1pm, and entry is by donation.
Twenty-six-year-old Mary, who suffers from a compromised airway and is unable eat solid food, following treatment for a malignant tumour that affected her pharynx back in 2005, is in the US with her mother, Eileen, where she is being treated by specialist Christopher Sullivan in North Carolina.
In the US a local Methodist Church in North Carolina have already taken the Philbins under their wing, giving them the use of a house during Mary and her mothers stay in the country. How Mr Ryan is encouraging people this side of the Atlantic to support the appeal, “this is one of our own,” Mr Ryan told The Anglo-Celt.
“Mary could be your sister, best friend, you daughter, she’s from Cavan and she needs your help. When one of your own is down, do you turn your back on them? Of course not. Mary’s illness affects and connects everybody and its up to us to make sure she gets better,” he said.
Mr Ryan and his miraculous story of battling back from a stage-four tumour to then go on to run a marathon has been used to organising events all over Ireland, raising millions for fellow cancer patients.
The ‘Day for Mary’ will culminate with a social event for all participants at The Hotel Kilmore from 8pm on Sunday evening, where Mr Ryan will be among a number of others giving a talk explaining Mary’s plight. There will also be a raffle on the night.
A donation account has also been set up in Bank of Ireland, Cavan Town, for people wishing to make a donation but unable to attend this weekend, Account Number: 24742543, sort code: 90-32-93.
Her story has been picked up on local Fox news, and can be seen on http://myfox8.com/2013/02/07/buckley-report-marys-battle/