Taking centre stage for Cuan

Humour is something Lisa Kearns was determined to incorporate in her journey with breast cancer, which she managed to do with the help of TikTok.

When the Celt meets husband and wife Ronan and Lisa Kearns, the natural, gentle banter between them is palpable. Even in the throes of cancer over the past year, they found some way to smile. Now Ronan’s decision to take part in Strictly Come Dancing for Cuan Cancer Care this Sunday represents a happy time in their lives.

The Killeshandra fireman will take to the stage with dance partner Orla Sheridan, in what was a “done deal” as soon as he was asked to fundraise for Cuan.

“It’s just some little way of giving back,” says Ronan, praising the care shown to the entire family since his wife’s cancer diagnosis.

“It’s nice to have something fun to do for a change, it has been a tough year on us all,” Lisa adds.

To date, Ronan and Orla have raised over €10,000. The most recent fundraiser took place in the Loughbawn Hotel last Friday night, raising €1,230. The quiz was organised by Killeshandra Fire Service, some members of which will be there on Sunday night to support their colleague.

“There was a lot of lads running to the [holiday] book to get their names down to see this lad make an eejit of himself!” Ronan laughs.

On a more serious note, the family have been “blown away” by the support from the community in Killeshandra since Lisa’s stage three breast cancer diagnosis on July 31, 2024.

“I didn’t know I was so popular,” Lisa expresses, now laughing through her tears as she relays the number of times food was dropped to their home, and the amount of cards, vouchers and flowers that landed on her doorstep. Even now, as they embark on a happier chapter in their journey, Ronan’s phone is constantly pinging with donations from friends and family members.

“We’ve had a lot of sadness in the town over the last couple of months and people just rally. You can feel that rallying, you don’t have to be asked twice to do something to help anybody . That’s the beauty of Killeshandra,” Lisa explains.

Eighteen couples

Ronan and Orla will be among 18 couples taking to the stage this Sunday. Like Ronan, many participants get involved as a way of giving back to the service, which has helped either themselves or a family member.

All this week until Sunday when they step on stage, the pair will be practising “every single night”. Although both remained tight-lipped about what dance they will perform, those attending can expect a country and western theme.

Some of the craic from rehearsals has made it to the public eye via Lisa’s social media, something she found of great value during her diagnosis.

Over one year ago, their lives were turned upside down when Lisa, the “glue” of their family, first heard of her diagnosis. Since then, she underwent 15 rounds of chemotherapy and 15 rounds of radiation.

“I knew I’d lose my hair.... I just thought do you know what? It’s going to take enough, but it’s not going to take my humour.

“I enjoyed doing TikTok, it got me through my day, I met amazing people through that.”

Lisa posted through the highs and lows of the past year; each round of chemo, days out with friends, losing her hair, family moments, a day in the life and harder days all went up on TikTok to spread breast cancer awareness.

“I needed to get this out, that it’s [cancer] not for older people. This is at any age now. I was 47 when I was diagnosed.

“I wanted to keep my humour; it was taking enough from me. I was going to lose out on a year of my life just with treatment. Obviously you are very sick, it is tough going but it has made me a little bit tougher now.

“A bit too tough,” Ronan chimes in, which immediately draws hearty laughter from Lisa.

Support from Cuan

It was during those early days after surgery that Lisa decided to reach out to Cuan. The Cornafean native admits feeling hesitant in the beginning.

“Cuan are outstanding, I’m not saying that lightly. I have never met anybody like them,” she says in hindsight.

She availed of services such as reflexology, physiotherapy, and counselling, while her family also received support from Cuan. All services are free of charge, which is why fundraising is a “huge part” of what Cuan does.

Despite receiving “phenomenal” support from her community, family and friends, she feels it’s “nice to sit down with somebody that’s going through it [cancer] or is at the same stage.

“You felt safe nearly, you knew you could let your guard down and just be Lisa.

“We are so blessed in Cavan to have it.”

The couple also highly praise staff at the Cavan Oncology Unit, where Lisa received her treatment.

Having now finished up with hospital appointments, Lisa feels she needs Cuan now more than ever.

She describes how it can be an anxious time when treatment “all stops” and the once weekly doctors and nurses “disappear”.

“It becomes very lonely then and you’re a bit anxious. How do I know I’m alright?”

This is where Lisa feels Cuan has “really stepped up to the mark”.

She now attends art therapy, dog therapy and the Cuan choir among other activities. The couple want to give back to Cuan in any way they can.

“I am good, I am cancer free but someone before me or after me that day would have got worse news so I am very lucky in that sense, that I get a second shot at life. Cuan are there for that as well, not everybody has a happy ending and they do marvellous work for people in that situation.

“As bad as cancer was it has made me realise a few things - it opens your eyes not to sweat the small stuff and enjoy life. We worry about silly things and we shouldn’t really.

“What’s not serving you anymore, just let it go,” she has learned.

Early detection

As a final message, Lisa shares: “Early detection is huge, don’t sit on it. Just go [to your GP] if you think there’s something wrong, if you find a lump or a little indent, anything. Early detection will save lives. Just get it checked.”

With the worst behind them, Lisa says it is “time to have some fun now” and is looking forward to Strictly for Cuan this Sunday.

“It’s going to be a good night,” Lisa laughs, looking at her husband. Is Ronan looking forward to the big night?

“Absolutely,” he replies.

“Yes and no,” he says, after a little more thought.

“I know it’ll go grand but we’re going to have the nerves building up to it, are we going to get the steps right? If I make mistakes I make mistakes, it’s all about fundraising at the end of the day and a bit of craic.”