Brave men to become ‘catwalk kings’ in aid of cancer research
THIS coming Friday night the brave men of Cork’s emergency services will take, what for many of them, will be the most courageous walk that have ever made.
Few would doubt but that it takes courage to put your life on the line each day that you go to work, as the men of our emergency services do.
However, it takes a different kind of courage to dress up in finery and ‘strut your stuff ’ on the catwalk in front of a large crowd who are watching your every move.
That is exactly what men from the gardai, army, Port of Cork launch pilots, paramedics, ambulance and fire services will be doing on the catwalk at the Clayton Silversprings Hotel in the process raising funds for Breakthrough Cancer Research.
The all-male fashion show is the brainchild of Fermoy woman Joanie Hanley, who also founded the annual Millstreet Kite Fest an event she established following her own successful battle with a rare form of breast cancer.
The former nurse, mother of four and grandmother of five, said the initiative is aimed at increasing awareness of the different kinds of cancer that affect men.
“Males can often find it difficult to discuss health, so I wanted to create an event that would both make men more aware of cancer and its different forms and raise money for research and treatment of the disease,” said Joanie.
She also said the event, which raised more than €2,000 at its first outing last year, was a way of recognising the work of male first responders.
“I wanted to highlight the important and very often life-saving role these men play in our society. I also want to honour all the men in our lives; fathers brothers, sons, uncles and cousins. These are the everyday heroes we love and cherish,” said Joanie.
“My hope is that people will come along to the fashion show and help get the message out to every man that should they be diagnosed with cancer there is plenty of help and support out there for them,” she added.
Orla Dolan, fundraising director ate Breakthrough Cancer Research said that while they were making “huge strides” in cancer research “we can not do it alone.”
“We need the support of amazing people like Joanie and the team behind ‘Brave Men Walking’. We have already progressed seven treatments to clinical trial and we can do much more with the support of the pubic.” Tickets for ‘Brave Men Walking’, which will include a drinks reception and raffle, cost €30 from the Breakthrough office on 021 422 6655.