Cavan woman lacing up for Very Pink Run
Róisín McManus
Cavan woman Sorcha Lavelle is among thousands taking part in the 2026 Very Pink Run, which is taking place across Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork from August 29-September 6.
Sponsored by Very, one of Ireland’s leading online retailers, the Very Pink Run is back for another year of pink-powered fundraising in support of groundbreaking breast cancer research and nationwide awareness and education programmes on a disease that affects one in seven women and one in 738 men in their lifetime.
In Ireland, there are 3,700 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year.
On August 17, 2017, Sorcha’s life changed overnight when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 22 years' old.
Having discovered a lump in her left breast around the size of a pea, Sorcha initially didn’t think too much about it. By the time she was seen in St James’s breast clinic a few months later, the lump had grown to the size of a golf ball, and she had severe pain.
After being told it was unlikely to be cancer, Sorcha’s mam insisted she see a consultant on the day, and she was sent for a mammogram and a biopsy.
Two weeks later, Sorcha received her diagnosis; she had aggressive breast cancer in her left breast that had spread to her lymph nodes.
“I wish people knew that this can happen to people as young as me,” she says.
Sorcha had her first dose of chemo by August 30. For the first few months, she had two types of chemo every fortnight, and then once per week.
After her first two sessions, knowing she was going to lose her hair, Sorcha decided to cut it all off as it was the only thing she felt she had control over.
“I wanted it gone, I didn’t want to see the clumps on my pillow, so that was it,” Sorcha recalls.
“I shaved my head and rocked it.”
Mastectomy
She had her first mastectomy in February 2018. In May, she started 28 consecutive days of intense radiotherapy that burned the skin over her breast and side.
“It really was painful,” Sorcha reflects.
Later in October, it was decided that her right breast would also be removed as a precautionary measure.
Sorcha has also done gene testing to determine whether she had the BRCA gene, which she thankfully doesn’t have.
She still takes medication and has regular checkups with her oncologist, and is living with the side effects of her surgeries, having to attend pain management.
“I still live with it six years later and will live with it for life,” Sorcha acknowledges.
“But I’m here, and I am so proud to say I have beaten cancer.”
After 18 months, Sorcha got her life back and returned to her flying career. She welcomed a healthy baby boy in 2023 and got married last November.
“There were times when it was beyond tough, but when you’ve been dealt with something that ultimately kills people, and you survive it, you have a new lease on life,” Sorcha feels.
Now bigger and brighter than ever, the Very Pink Run is a full-on feel-good festival combining fun, fitness, community spirit and purpose.
More than just a fun run, jog or walk event, it has become a nationwide movement that unites thousands of participants in support of a future free from breast cancer.
Since its inception, the Very Pink Run has grown into a truly global movement, with over 110,000 participants across 40 countries, raising more than €8M to date.
Leitrim-based influencer Jennifer Wrynne, who has recently been through treatment for breast cancer, will be among the many others taking part in this year’s event.
For those not in a position to join the live runs, individuals or groups are encouraged to organise their own events and share their photos and videos across social media using the hashtags #VeryPinkRun, #BestFunRunBarNone or #VeryPinkTribe.