Michael Flatley, John Brennan and Evelyn O' Rourke reveal treasured keepsakes which saw them through cancer journeys
'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.'
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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 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.'
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Ireland becoming 'world leader' in early detection cancer research
Ireland is becoming a world leader in early detection cancer research, according to Breakthrough Cancer Research. The charity has praised the work of Irish scientists and researchers in the fight against cancer at the opening of a "powerful and immersive" free exhibition in Dublin. 'Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope' was developed by the Science Museum Group in the UK and specially adapted for an Irish audience. It highlights key Irish contributions to cancer science and delves inside the research that's changing lives and the breakthrough technologies shaping the future of treatment. "Ireland is making a huge contribution, from how we can try to detect cancer earlier," said Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, especially in pioneering new treatments. "The idea that you can replicate the whole of the human body in digital form and test treatments out so you can personalise the treatment," Ms Dolan told RTÉ News. Breakthrough cancer research said that the exhibition "pulls back the curtain" and presents cancer in all its stages in an "understandable way so that people are hopeful about the work going into the future". The exhibition also included stories of personal experiences of cancer, including the case of Caitríona Greene, a mother of two from Donegal, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Two weeks after she had a double mastectomoy, Caitriona found out that she was eight weeks pregnant with her second child. "It was a terrifying journey," she said. "I just prayed everyday that the baby would arrive safely and thank God she arrived healthy and strong, perfect and we so blessed and I was able to continue my treatment." Ms Greene documented her cancer journey by taking a picture every day from the first diagnosis to the end of her treatment a year later. The photos are included in the exhibition and show the highs and lows along the way including the birth of her second child. "I'm just reminded of all the love and I'm so grateful to be here today," Ms Greene said. Businessman and former dancer star Michael Flatley has said that his cancer diagnosis made him realise that the disease does not "discriminate". "It doesn't matter if you're a child, it doesn't matter if you're an older person, it doesn't matter if you're middle aged, it doesn't matter what your nationality, country, country, or religion," he said. He was treated for a malignant melanoma in 2003 and two years ago he underwent surgery after diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer. "It was completely unexpected," Mr Flatley said. "And I remember getting the news, I faced that doctor and I asked my wife to leave the room. It's something that I will never ever forget in my life. It's life-changing," he said. Mr Flatley's cancer story is also featured in the exhibition alongside a flute that brought him joy as he faced cancer for the second time. Other cancer survivors donated a range of items from a knitted doll that a child received during her treatment, to a turban made for a person facing cancer treatment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Walking poles used by a person to complete the 800km of the Camino de Santiago following a cancer diagnosis were also donated. Visitors can also experience close-up the complexity of tumours through a three-metre large scale tumour 3D installation created especially for the exhibition. Immunologist Dr Luke O'Neill said he was hugely impressed by the exhibition. "They've recreated a massive tumor full of the immune cells that are getting in there, trying to kill the tumor using their weapons," he said. "And the immune system has very powerful weapons that it uses to kill viruses, for instance. Now those same weapons are now being mobilised against the tumor," he said. One in two people in Ireland will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Breakthrough Cancer Research said hard-to-treat cancers like lung, pancreatic, brain, stomach, liver, and oesophageal continue to have poor outcomes. Breakthrough Cancer Research focuses its efforts - through cutting-edge, patient-focused research - making sure that no cancer, no person, and no family, is left behind. "There are more than 220,000 cancer survivors living in Ireland today, that's the equivalent of a whole new county of people," Ms Dolan said. "That progress didn't happen by chance. It happened because of research. But we cannot stop here. The exhibition is an invitation to see how far we've come - and how far we can still go."
