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Karl Fenlon interviews Aoife Cahill Mannion about raising funds for CMRF in the mini marathon.<\/p>\n
Aoife Cahill Mannion from Dun Laoghaire is calling on women to join team CMRF Crumlin in the VHI Women\u2019s Mini Marathon 2019. CMRF Crumlin raises vital funds for CHI, Crumlin (formerly Our Lady\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital) and the National Children\u2019s Research Centre (NCRC).
\n\u201cMy fourth and youngest son, Jasper, is my inspiration and reason for taking part in the Mini Marathon in aid of Crumlin,\u201d Aoife said. \u201cIn 2010, when he was 10 months of age he was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. It was an Extra Renal Rabdoid Sarcoma, Stage IV. He was given a 17% chance of survival. We were living in the US at the time and so far away from family and friends, albeit wonderfully supportive friends, Stateside.
\n\u201cThat June, when the Mini Marathon came around, a fabulous bunch of gorgeous women in my life fundraised and participated in support. They had t-shirts printed with his gorgeous cheeky face and while we couldn\u2019t be there to join them, we all wore the same t-shirts they had sent us, on that day, in the US. It was so emotional for all of us and the effort, love, support and care that went into that day on our behalf resonated so strongly with me.\u201d
\nAoife promised herself that when she returned home she would do the mini marathon every year. 2012 was the first year that she participated after moving back to Ireland, and she has been involved every year since then with a gang of her closest friends. They always organise a coffee morning in St Joseph\u2019s Parish Hall, in Glasthule, a few weeks before the mini marathon in order to raise more funds. Each year Aoife and her friends are amazed at the generosity and support from The Harold School parents, local retailers and the general neighbourhood. Everyone comes together as a community.
\n\u201cMy coffee morning pals and I get the Dart into town and that\u2019s where we part! There are champion runners amongst us and then there\u2019s me! I don\u2019t do it in a competitive way, or to finish the run under a certain time. I do it for the fun, for the experience and to give back. It\u2019s amazing to see thousands of women every year running for different causes and united by compassion and comradery. We all meet up afterwards for a celebratory drink!\u201d
\nAoife says it is always a very personal and emotional day for her \u2013 \u201cAs the years have created distance from Jasper\u2019s illness, it has become less emotionally overwhelming but nonetheless deeply important and personal. I treat it like an homage to him and a time of reflection on all we went through. I play the same experiences through in my mind. I\u2019m still having new thoughts on his illness.
\n\u201cI should add that this is all done under severe running pressure and huffing and puffing! I am not a natural runner, despite my gazelle-like desires, but what keeps me motivated and going is the unrivalled atmosphere and sheer determination of so many women, many with similar thought processes as mine, I\u2019m sure. There are lifetimes of pain, heartbreak and suffering behind the amazingly strong women who turn out to participate in a day so filled with love, fun, support, determination and togetherness.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nPodcast: Play in new window<\/a> | Download<\/a> (Duration: 14:48 — 20.3MB)<\/p>