A Portarlington-based mother of two is the Laois ambassador for the 100k in 30 days event in June which will raise funds for the Marie Keating Foundation.
Natasha Whelehan who is originally from Moneenroe, near Castlecomer in Kilkenny, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2017.
She was 39 years of age with a four-year-old son and a 17 month old daughter. “There wasn’t any family history of breast cancer but I did have some symptoms,” she said.
Having undergone surgery, eight rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of chemotherapy, on hormone therapy for the last five years with another five to go, with her ovaries removed and suffering other complications including cellulitis and lymphedema, she is thrilled to have been selected as the Laois ambassador for an organisation which supported her before and after her treatment.
2023 is the fourth year of the event and to date, over €4million has been raised for breast cancer services in Ireland, including the state-of-the-art clinical trial centre in the new breast centre at Beaumont Hospital.
While Ronan Keating, son of Marie Keating who lost her life to breast cancer 25 years ago, will be running the 100k in 30 days, Natasha will be walking.
“I have a problem with my hip and will be having a minor operation on it next week, so I could be hobbling for the first week or two,” she said.
“I was always a walker and very active, and definitely so since my diagnosis which unfortunately was delayed as I was pregnant at the time,” said Natasha.
“I’m encouraging people to sign up for the 100k in 30 Days which is an amazing fundraiser which really gets the whole community involved.
“I would love to see as many people as possible sign up and join the pink army. People can sign up locally, nationally and globally.”
Natasha worked in recruitment in the past but has now set up her own business as a life coach for cancer survivors, helping them to move forward.
“I would encourage anyone with any sort of symptoms to go to their doctor and get checked out, even if they are pregnant. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and breast cancer can and does happen during pregnancy,” she said.
“I feel very lucky to be here six years on, taking part in the fundraiser in June. It gives me a chance to do something positive around the time of my diagnosis. Funds for breast cancer services are vital so I’m delighted to be playing my part.”
Through its community information service, the Marie Keating Foundation’s nurses have engaged with over 600,000 people about the causes and risk factors of cancer.
The foundation offers national cancer awareness and education campaigns covering the most common cancers affecting people in Ireland, including bowel, testicular, breast, cervical, lung, prostate, and skin cancer.
Given the fact that there are more than 200,000 cancer survivors in Ireland today, the Marie Keating Foundation supports cancer survivors through its Positive Living and Survive and Thrive programmes, which are run nationwide, free of charge, for men and women.
Over 1,200 cancer survivors have attended courses and seminars since the programmes’ inception in 2014.
The Survive and Thrive Programme is aimed at assisting anyone who has come through treatment to adjust to their ‘new normal’ and offer practical advice and help in many areas of life including diet and exercise, emotional support and adjusting to returning to work.
The Positive Living programme is for men and women living with advanced cancer and supports them in coping with their specific physical and psychological needs.
The foundation’s recently launched survivorship website www.surviveandthrive.ie has a host of information and advice for anyone living with or beyond cancer.
People can register to take part in the fundraiser at www.100kin30days.ie Anyone who would like to join Natasha’s league should sign to join Team Tash. Her progress can be followed via her Instagram page @natasha_coaching.after.cancer
SEE ALSO – Laois and Offaly links in Zambia explored as local Minister makes trip to African country
