Leitrim 1994 hero Martin McHugh to speak at Ballyshannon “Let's talk about Cancer” event

Leitrim’s Connacht SFC championship winning keeper Martin McHugh will be a guest at one of the most significant cancer awareness events ever held in the North West‘ Lets talk about cancer’, a morning of music and chat in the Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon for Saturday May 13.

The event which will be hosted by former RTE news correspondent Tommie Gorman will feature a number of special guests who all have encountered cancer at some stage in their lives.

The Aughnasheelin clubman, who told his story of twice beating Cancer in his book 'Born to Save' will be one of the special guests telling their stories at the high profile event in Ballyshannon next May.

Martin was born to save - and to talk!

THE BIG INTERVIEW

John Connolly chats with Martin McHugh ahead of the launch of his autobiography “Born to Save” next Sunday, September 11, in The Landmark Hotel and finds the former Leitrim keeper just as engaging and entertaining as he always has been as he looks back over a storied career and life

Guests include singer songwriter Brian Kennedy, Relay for Life ambassador Majella O’Donnell, RTE’s Evelyn O’Rourke, adaptive adventurer and motivational speaker Nikki Bradley, Irish Cancer Society’s Corrine Hassen and leading surgeon Martin Caldwell from Sligo University Hospital.

The event is being organised by former regional tourism manager Paul McLoone, a six time cancer survivor himself. It is been run in conjunction with Sligo Cancer Support Centre, Solace Cancer Support Service Donegal Town, Relay for Life and the Irish Cancer Society.

“The range and level of support services provided by the voluntary sector here in the North West is second to none and is one of the reasons I am still alive today’ states Paul McLoone. 

“‘Not everyone avails of these services but we must keep reaching out to help others and give every assistance we can during a difficult period in their lives’. I was reminded of this when Roslyn Dee wrote an article in late November stating that every three minutes someone in Ireland receives a cancer diagnosis. 

“She put it very succinctly when she said ‘let’s not forget all the thousands of people quietly living their lives while dealing day in and day out with this devastating disease. They too, deserve our recognition, respect and every possible kind of support that we can give them’.

The event in Ballyshannon and the awareness campaign surrounded it will simply remind people that help and assistance is available locally should they choose to avail of it.

Fantastic turnout as Martin McHugh launches his autobiography "Born to Save" - GALLERY

The Relay for Life survivor’s choir will open proceedings at 10.30am with the brilliant Diarmaid McGee & Dean James  performing. Brian Kennedy will sing a number of hits from his magnificent repertoire before the scheduled conclusion at 1.15pm.

The event is being supported by Leader’s Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme and by Coloplast Healthcare company. 

Tickets are on sale at abbeycentre.ie and all proceeds will be donated to local cancer charities.