ArtsCentre andTown HallgoGold

SUPPORTING THE CHILDHOOD CANCER CAMPAIGN

THE outside of An Táin Arts Centre and the Town Hall in Crowe Street is turning gold at nightfall for the month of September as part of the Childhood Cancer Foundation’s Light it Up Gold campaign.

It joins buildings across the world which are taking part in the international campaign which began in the United States by lighting up gold in September to shine a light on the bravery of children dealing with cancer.

In Ireland buildings from An Grianan Theatre in Donegal to St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh and many in between such as the Bank of Ireland, the Convention Centre Dublin, the Dunbrody Famine Ship in Waterford and Shannon Airport will Light It Up Gold during September. They are joining international landmarks such as the Niagara Falls, Times Square New York and Harbour Bridge in Texas to light up gold for childhood cancer awareness.

An Táin Arts Centre’s Managing Director Paul Hayes explains: ‘I have been involved with this campaign ever since my niece Lily-Mae was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage 4 in 2012. It is a devastating blow for any family to have to deal with. We, like many other families had to start a huge fundraising campaign to send Lily-Mae to America for a trial drug to try to prevent relapse. We were lucky, Ireland took Lily-Mae to its heart, she became the Tiny Dancer, we had a No.1 single and raised over €550,000. She has now been in remission for 2 years.’

‘Increased awareness will improve early detection and increase understanding among policy makers and communities which will hopefully reduce the isolation of families going through childhood cancer treatment and side effects,’ continues Paul. ‘Awareness will also lead to improved funding for supports and services for families and funding for research into childhood cancer.’

Over 200 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Ireland. That’s four families each week who hear the devastating news that their child,