New exhibition examines the evolution of cancer
Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, on a new exhibition which details the history and evolution of cancer and how it's treated.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Michael Flatley, John Brennan and Evelyn O'Rourke reveal treasured keepsakes which saw them through cancer journeys
He found out he had malignant melanoma in 2003, aged 45 and was diagnosed with another aggressive form of cancer in recent years. 'It stopped me in my tracks. My flute became a source of comfort and clarity. Playing it helped me step back and ask myself: have I done enough - for my family, my friends, for those who need my support?' he said. 'The answer pushed me to fight harder. I thought of my wife and son every day, and the life I still wanted to live with them. And my beautiful flute carried my spirit when I needed it most. Thanks to research, I'm still here and now I'm committed to giving back more than ever - with gratitude and purpose.' Mr Flatley is one of the cancer survivors who has contributed a special item – in his case his flute - to an exhibition by Breakthrough Cancer Research which was launched in St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin today. Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope will run from from Friday, September 15 to October 31 on the first floor of the shopping centre. Other well known people who contributed are hotelier, John Brennan, who previously ran the Park Hotel in Kenmare in Kerry with his brother Francis. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, aged 46. 'My cancer was found following a gallstone removal so I suppose I was lucky. At my initial meeting with my consultant we were told it was Stage 4 which meant nothing to me at the time. I embarked on chemo almost immediately and thankfully experienced little side effects,' Mr Brennan said. 'Since then I have had further chemo but again lucky as little discomfort. It is now 14 years since my diagnosis and I live a normal daily life. No two people are the same but cancer has given me a different view on life. 'It has made me realise the importance of today and make the most of it. I've always found great solace being out on the water. To me this compass is a symbol of the calm, direction, and perspective that time on the water has given me.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more RTÉ's Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke told how she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, aged 38. 'We have two gorgeous teenage boys, Oisín and Ross and we are so lucky that life is so lovely. I hugely appreciate all the good days, as back in June 2010 I got a breast cancer diagnosis, when I was just a few weeks pregnant with our second son, Ross,' Ms O'Rourke said. 'Oisín was just was six months old then. Thankfully, treatment went really well for me, but during that whole time I had started writing letters to try and explain the situation for myself and my boys. 'Those letters were turned into this book and over the years, moms-to-be who have had to face a diagnosis have got in touch. I'm always so pleased, because it means the book helps and you can't ask more than that.' The exhibition also has personal items which saw other cancer patients through their journey. Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, explains: 'This exhibition is a powerful reminder that science and humanity are inseparable in advancing cancer care. Every breakthrough we pursue is driven by real stories and real lives. ole research plays in transforming outcomes. It's a celebration of resilience, collaboration, and the hope that fuels every step forward.'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's beekeepers 'very concerned' Asian hornet could 'wreak havoc' on bee population
Beekeepers are worried the arrival of the Asian hornet into Ireland could 'wreak havoc' with the ecosystem if the public does not remain vigilant. The discovery of the invasive insect in Cork this week sparked a biosecurity alert here. It is the second discovery ever of its kind in Ireland — the last sighting was in 2021. The Asian hornet, also known as a yellow-legged hornet, poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Ireland, as even a single nest can devastate honeybee populations. However, it does not pose a significant public health risk. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has said it is working to establish how the insect got into the country, while traps have been placed close to where the insect was found on Tuesday. Collette O'Connell, a third-generation beekeeper from Waterford, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland a single nest could devastate honey bees. She described the insect as 'very beautiful' and much larger than our native wasps. 'It is dark black on its thorax and has a bright yellow face' she said. 'The segment on its abdomen is bright yellow — a mustard yellow. The bottom two thirds of its legs are again a bright yellow.' She said the insect looks to feed off honey bees and beekeepers identify them easily because when they fly in front of a hive, 'the legs are splayed and it's like it has a yellow halo around it — we call that hawking.' The NPWS was alerted when a member of the public saw the insect and recorded it on the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Since then, traps have been placed all over the area, and the Beekeeper's Association has contacted local beekeepers with hives in the area in Cork. 'We know the preferred food of Asian hornets are honey bees,' said Ms O'Connell. She said beekeepers were 'very concerned' about the arrival of the insect into Ireland 'because it is a carnivore, it is an apex predator — it will wreak havoc". 'We know from the [pollination preservation project] Atlantic-Positives research, it has wreaked havoc in Europe — they did a survey in 2020 of 400 beekeepers in France, Spain, and Portugal. They spent just under €800m to protect their bees, and it doesn't stop them.' The Asian hornet insect caught this week is now being examined and the public is being encouraged to be vigilant when travelling to Ireland on the ferry or in the ports. 'They are very good at piggybacking on human transport,' said Ms O'Connell. 'People coming back on ferries, ports, and workers, familiarise yourself with the insect, and if you suspect an Asian hornet, please take a photo." She also warned the public not to panic, as this could lead to 'good pollinators' being killed. Members of the public are being asked to make contact with if they believe they have seen an Asian hornet and to take photos and mark the location of the alleged sighting.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Michael Flatley, John Brennan and Evelyn O' Rourke reveal treasured keepsakes which saw them through cancer journeys
He found out he had malignant melanoma in 2003, aged 45 and was diagnosed with another aggressive form of cancer in recent years. 'It stopped me in my tracks. My flute became a source of comfort and clarity. Playing it helped me step back and ask myself: have I done enough - for my family, my friends, for those who need my support? 'The answer pushed me to fight harder. I thought of my wife and son every day, and the life I still wanted to live with them. And my beautiful flute carried my spirit when I needed it most. Thanks to research, I'm still here and now I'm committed to giving back more than ever - with gratitude and purpose.' Mr Flatley is one of the cancer survivors who has contributed a special item – in his case his flute - to an exhibition by Breakthrough Cancer Research which was launched in St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin today. Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope will run from from Friday, September 15 to October 31 on the first floor of the shopping centre. Other well known people who contributed are hotelier, John Brennan, who previously ran the Park Hotel in Kenmare in Kerry with his brother Francis. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, aged 46. 'My cancer was found following a gallstone removal so I suppose I was lucky. At my initial meeting with my consultant we were told it was Stage 4 which meant nothing to me at the time. I embarked on chemo almost immediately and thankfully experienced little side effects. 'Since then I have had further chemo but again lucky as little discomfort. It is now 14 years since my diagnosis and I live a normal daily life. No two people are the same but cancer has given me a different view on life. 'It has made me realise the importance of today and make the most of it. I've always found great solace being out on the water. To me this compass is a symbol of the calm, direction, and perspective that time on the water has given me.' Meanwhile RTÉ's Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O Rourke told how she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, aged 38. 'We have two gorgeous teenage boys, Oisín and Ross and we are so lucky that life is so lovely. I hugely appreciate all the good days, as back in June 2010 I got a breast cancer diagnosis, when I was just a few weeks pregnant with our second son, Ross. 'Oisín was just was six months old then. Thankfully, treatment went really well for me, but during that whole time I had started writing letters to try and explain the situation for myself and my boys. 'Those letters were turned into this book and over the years, moms-to-be who have had to face a diagnosis have got in touch. I'm always so pleased, because it means the book helps and you can't ask more than that.' The exhibition also has personal items which saw other cancer patients through their journey. Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, explains: 'This exhibition is a powerful reminder that science and humanity are inseparable in advancing cancer care. Every breakthrough we pursue is driven by real stories and real lives. ole research plays in transforming outcomes. It's a celebration of resilience, collaboration, and the hope that fuels every step forward.'
