Support Malin2Mizen cycle for Cystic Fibrosis as it passes through Mayo
MAYO people are being called on to support 44 volunteers as they cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI), the national charity for cystic fibrosis (CF) in Ireland.
They will be passing through the county on Friday, September 13. The schedule is: Supermac’s in Charlestown from 12 to 1 p.m., and Spar, Ballindine, 2 to 2.45 p.m.
The event target for 2024 is €100,000 and, if achieved, will mean a staggering €1 million has been raised since this cycle started in 2016.
The first cycle was set up in memory of Triona Priestley, who passed away 10 years ago from CF when she was just 15 years old. Triona’s mother, Bernie Priestley, has been a driving force behind this event over the past 10 years and is now chairperson of CFI.
Bernie says: “In the 10 years since Triona passed, the CF landscape in Ireland has changed dramatically and so much progress has been made. Triona was always a voice for people with CF in Ireland and I think she would be so proud and amazed of where we are today. To carry on her legacy in this way, surrounded by others including her friends, all working for the same goal, is an emotional, and powerful thing.”
According to the latest data from the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland (CFRI) there are 1,342 people with CF in Ireland, 83% of whom are eligible for the new modulator therapy which treats the underlying cause of CF. Following a series of nationwide member townhall meetings and analysis of data gathered through member surveys, CFI identified significant changes to the lives and needs of its members in the wake of these advanced therapies, ranging from accessing further education and fertility choices to obstacles in obtaining accommodation, life insurance or pensions.
The cycle starts in Malin Head on Thursday, September 12, and will take four days to cover 640 kilometres to Mizen Head, which they aim to reach on the Sunday. Members of the public are invited to come out and show their support as the cyclists pass through the towns and villages along the way.
Billy O’Toole is originally from Claremorris and lives with CF. Showing his support for the event, he said: “As a person with CF, I have availed of the CFI fertility grant and these supports are only possible by the funds and awareness raised by the Malin 2 Mizen cycle and other events like it. That's why it is so important, not only to CFI, but to me, my family and the rest of the CF community in Mayo and I would urge everyone to get behind CFI and help keep providing essential supports to its members.”
If you cannot make it on the day to show your support, you can make a donation or find out more about the services and supports CFI provide at https://www.cfireland.ie/.