Dr Sarah all set to lace up her runners for hospital fund-raiser
DR SARAH FITZGIBBON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TUMOUR IN THE LIVER AND THEN BOWEL CANCER FOUR YEARS AGO
LIFE can certainly throw curve balls, but a Cork-based GP, who was diagnosed with liver metastasis and the following day got a further diagnoses of bowel cancer, will take part in the Cork Women’s Mini Marathon next month.
Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon who is 41 years old and a mother of three, hails from Ballinlough. The busy doctor was diagnosed with liver metastasis – a malignant tumour in the liver that spread from another organ affected by cancer in November 2014. While dealing with this, the very next day she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
She has undergone treatment at the Mercy Hospital, and she regularly shares her personal cancer story on her personal blog, ‘ Adventures of a Sick Doctor.’
Now she will join the Mercy Hospital Foundation and take part in one of Cork’s biggest teams by leading the race against cancer and raising funds for the Mercy Cancer Appeal. This funding provides key services and advancements in the treatment of and research into many cancers.
Last year over 100 enthusiastic ladies and lads joined #TeamMercy for Munster’s premier four-mile road race, and this year it will include Dr Fitzgibbon and her daughter Ellen Chambers – who is one of the foundations youngest fund-raisers.
Dr Fitzgibbon said: “Cancer can affect anyone at any time in their lives and I wanted to raise awareness to that, as well as raising funds for cancer care at the Mercy. I am so fortunate to have such great care available so close to home.”
She added that “Dr Derek Power and his team are so warm and caring, and the nurses in the Mercy are really friendly, and they make me and my family feel very welcome. I’ve always been given outstanding care and have been shown great kindness there.”
Ellen, who is 10 years old, added to her mum’s sentiments. She said: “I want to run the Mini Marathon for the Mercy to help the cancer ward because I didn’t like it when my mum had cancer – but they helped her to get better, and I wanted to thank them. And because I like running with my mum.”
The Women’s mini marathon takes place on Sunday, September 16. Anyone who wants to join #TeamMercy can be guaranteed a great day out followed by an after-party at the Old Oak with finger food, cocktails and fun to ease the tired muscles. Anyone who runs in aid of The Mercy will also receive a t-shirt that they can personalise – perhaps by writing the name of a loved one whom they are running for.
Register for #TeamMercy mini marathon by calling 021 4274076, or visit www.mercyfunding.ie.