Robbie’s walk for cancer

A cancer survivor is undertaking a gruelling 188km virtual walk to raise funds for haematology at CUH.

This month, Kinsale native Robbie O’Leary will walk the distance from CUH to University Hospital Galway where he received stem cell treatment for multiple myeloma cancer in 2015.

Multiple myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer.

Robbie, who worked for pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly for 30 years, was diagnosed in August 2015 following a timely intervention by his GP.

After receiving chemotherapy, steroid treatment and a stem cell transplant, Robbie’s cancer is now in remission.

With continuous monitoring at CUH and the care of his family and friends, Robbie can now live a full and active life. Speaking about his experience with cancer, Robbie says everybody has their own way of dealing with it. He said he chose to speak openly about his diagnosis and to be honest with his friends and family.

Robbie says telling his son and close family was the most difficult part for him as he was “emotionally all over the place”.

The avid walker and GAA fan is now appealing to clubs, families, individuals and anyone else who can spare something for a good cause, to donate and to virtually join him on his journey.