A Laois woman whose mother lives on with cancer thanks to medication, is volunteering at a huge fundraiser in Emo this summer.
Helena Gleeson who lives in Portlaoise, has volunteered at Relay For Life in Emo Court, every year since it began in the county.
Her mother is Ethna Gleeson, 74, from Limerick who has been diagnosed with cancer three times.
Routine mammograms led to her diagnoses of breast cancer in 2007 and 2014, and in both cases she underwent successful lumpectomies and radiotherapy treatment.
However, in 2020 she found a lump under her arm and tests revealed that she had a blood and bone marrow cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). It is incurable, but Ethna is on medication and has a day-by-day approach to living with cancer.
“My cancer isn’t curable, but it is treatable. Without cancer research, I wouldn’t be on the medication I’m on now. This is why funding research is so important, and by taking part in Relay For Life, you’ll be helping to fund the Irish Cancer Society’s ground-breaking research, and their services for people affected by cancer,” Ethna says.
Ethna got involved in Relay For Life Laois through her daughter Helena’s volunteerism with the uplifting 24 hour candlelit event.
Last year, Helena spoke about her passion for the event in Emo Court.
“In our family, a lot of us have had cancer, and Helena felt that Relay For Life was a great cause, so that’s why she got involved. We go every year, and we have great fun. Emo is a great place to have it, because you have the park and the coffee shop there,” Ethna says.
Every year, Ethna proudly takes part in the survivors’ lap at Relay For Life Laois, which kicks off the 24-hour event and sees cancer survivors and those living with the disease walk the first lap of the relay track.
A Mountmellick school deputy principal also volunteers and supports the event with her students
Ethna also considers the Candle of Hope ceremony to be a particular highlight. This is when candle bags that are decorated in memory of those living with or lost to cancer are illuminated along the relay track after nightfall as a moving way to show support and remember loved ones lost.
She is encouraging people in Laois and surrounding counties to come along to Relay For Life Laois.
“Everyone around Laois and surrounding counties should come along to Relay For Life Laois, absolutely everyone is welcome. It’s well worth it. It’s always great fun, and it’s great to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. Your support can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer,” Helena’s mother says.
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She spoke more about her type of cancer and how she copes.
“I’m not the type of person who worries about the future. I just go along with things day-to-day, and I take my medication for CLL. There’s no point in thinking too far into the future, because there’s no way of knowing how things will go.
“CLL is an unusual cancer, it’s not very common. It’s more so in older people and typically affects men. It’s just something I’ve learned to live with, because it’s not going to go away. You learn to adjust, and you know what you can and can’t do. I can be fine one day, then feel rotten the next,” Ethna said.
The money raised at Relay For Life helps to fund the Irish Cancer Society’s vital services, like its Support Line, Night Nursing, and counselling, and ground-breaking cancer research.
Registration is now open for teams to walk along the track during the 24-hour event, or they can purchase candle bags in advance – the candle bags are in memory of people lost to cancer or to show support to people currently living with the disease, all with personal designs on them. They’re featured in the Candle of Hope ceremony, which takes place after nightfall, when the candle bags illuminate the relay track in a beautiful show of remembrance and support.
Sign up for Relay For Laois, which takes place at Emo Court House and Parklands on Saturday, August 16. Or visit Irish Cancer Society.
