Arctic challenge completed by 2 Cork women
This icy trek has warmed the cockles of our hearts.
Two Cork women took on a gruelling, week-long Arctic challenge to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation.
Gabriella O'Keeffe from Buttevant and Karen Daly from Cork city got involved to raise vital funds and awareness of the impacts of stroke, heart disease and other cardiac conditions. They were part of a team of 14 who signed up for the week-long expedition.
The participants travelled 350km north of the Arctic Circle, where they trekked across a frozen lake, hauling their equipment and tents to sleep overnight, outdoors, amongst the stars in subzero temperatures of -5C.
The group left Dublin for Kilpisjärvi, Northern Finland on 16 March and for some, it was a personal journey to highlight the importance of heart health after loved ones suffered serious cardiac issues.
“I am a Cork native and a third-year medical student in UCC and first came across the Irish Heart Foundation while researching a project on cardiovascular disease for my university work,” said Gabriella.
She added: “Some of the statistics I discovered while conducting this research really shocked me, and the more I learnt about the Irish Heart Foundation's vital and lifesaving work, the more I wanted to do something to help.”
Each challenge participant raised a minimum of €6,500 and the two Cork women raised a total of €17,184, while the entire group has raised nearly €112,000 so far.
Funds raised go towards essential supports that help people who have been affected by heart disease or stroke. These include free professional counselling services and a nurse support line, support groups and other programmes to help improve the quality of life and wellbeing of people after a cardiac event or stroke. “A stroke or heart event can turn someone’s world completely upside down,” said Tom Hickey, Director of Development with the Irish Heart Foundation.
He added: “This challenge shows how difficult it is to learn new skills in a tough environment and to persevere even when it’s hard. That’s what those living with the effects of a stroke or heart condition must do each and every day. Cardiovascular disease is a leading killer in both men and women. It kills six times as many women as breast cancer does. But the hopeful reality is that 80pc of early heart disease and stroke cases are preventable.”
He continued: “Through the kindness of our fundraisers and donors, we can work hard every day to help prevent cardiovascular illness in the first place. Together, we can stop so many lives being damaged, shortened or lost.”