COLOUR OUR ROUTE

Calling on the people of the West Coast of Ireland

 to show their colours for childhood cancer charities

 

CJs Rainbow Charity Cycle will start at Donegal’s Malin Head on Thursday next (August 22^nd) and we are looking for the people on the west coast of Ireland to colour our route – so get your flags, balloons and bunting out to support our cycle, as we try to raise awareness of childhood cancer. The cycle is in memory of C.J. McCann, from Ballaghaderreen on the Mayo/Roscommon border, and will be led by C.J.’s father, Joe.

C.J. passed away, aged was just 21 months, last October, when he lost his battle with an aggressive brain cancer, ATRT (Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour). Now, 21 cyclists, one for each month of his life, will be led on a nationwide adventure by his Daddy, Joe, as they take on a gruelling Malin Head to Mizen Head challenge to raise money for two of the charities, Hand-in-Hand and Oscars Kids, who both supported the McCann family during their childhood cancer journey.

“I wanted to do something that was a real challenge, so I chose the Malin to Mizen route, as opposed to Mizen to Malin, as it’s against the prevailing winds and, the way I saw it, C.J. didn’t get to decide on the mammoth challenge that was put before him,” C.J.’s father, Joe, said.

The 21-strong team will bid to complete the 630km cycle in just four days, a huge undertaking for an amateur cycling group, beginning at the most northerly point on Thursday, August 22^nd, before meandering down the country, with the hope of reaching Mizen Head on Sunday afternoon, August 25^th. The cycle will hit Ballaghaderreen on Friday afternoon at approximately 12.30pm, and a large crowd is expected to cheer them on.

The cycle will raise money for two charities that helped the family enormously since C.J.’s diagnosis. Hand in Hand is a national childhood cancer charity, based in Loughrea, which supports families all over Ireland, helping them to cope with the impact of treatment on family life. For the McCann family, this has included play therapy for C.J.’s sisters, Róisín (8) and Clódagh (6), which is immensely beneficial to them in coping with the loss of their little brother, and was also a vital outlet for them during C.J.’s treatment.

“We are so grateful to be nominated as one of the beneficiaries of CJ’s Rainbow Cycle,” said Caroline O’Connor, Fundraising & Communications Manager at Hand in Hand.

“This incredible initiative organised in memory of CJ is a celebration of CJ’s spirit and a commitment to making a significant impact to families in Ireland with a childhood cancer diagnosis.”

 

The second charity to benefit from the fundraising cycle is Oscar’s Kids, who support families coping with a child’s terminal cancer diagnosis; the charity aim to create moments of magic during the toughest of times. Their incredible support enabled the McCann Family to plan C.J.’s Magical Christmas last September, the only Christmas spent with C.J. at home. A public appeal saw 40,000 Christmas cards delivered to the family’s door.

“Oscars Kids are honoured to be associated with CJs Rainbow Charity Cycle, in memory of a magical little boy, who showed such strength and bravery, when faced with adversity, and has inspired this wonderful campaign,” said Yavanna Keogh, founder of Oscars Kids.

Each and every one of the cyclists will dedicate this cycle to C.J. and the children who are currently battling cancer, or those who have left this world too soon.

“Those children – they are the real heroes; what they endure, how they get through it, how they keep smiling; it’s just incredible,” said C.J.’s proud father, Joe.

The McCann Family now aim to help to support these heroes, and their families, through the proceeds raised by CJ’s Rainbow Charity Cycle. An iDonate page has been set up at www.idonate.ie/event/cjsrainbow, and further details on the cycle are available www.instagram.ie/cjsrainbow.

 

 

About ATRT:

ATRT is a fast-growing tumour that typically begins in the cerebellum, or brainstem, and is found in fewer than 3% of children with brain tumours, most often seen in children three years of age or younger. Only approximately 60 babies are diagnosed with ATRT each year around the world; CJ’s chances of being diagnosed with ATRT were one in a million.

About Hand-in-Hand:

Hand in Hand is a national childhood cancer charity, based in Loughrea, which supports families all over Ireland. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, often there are other siblings to care for, while parents or guardians travel to hospitals for treatment with their sick child. Hand in Hand helps families cope with the day-to-day stress of frequent, long-distance travel and the impact of treatment on family life. This support can include counselling, play therapy for children and/or their siblings, complementary therapies, hot meals, laundry, and domestic cleaning. Hand in Hand works to help ease the stress and anxiety for families living with childhood cancer.

About Oscar’s Kids:

Oscar’s Kids, National Childhood Cancer Charity, supports parents and families to cope with their child’s terminal diagnosis. The charity was set up by Yvanna and Lar in memory of little boy, Oscar, who passed away after battling a rare brain cancer, aged 3. Through the Oscar’s Kids charity, Yvanna and Lar offer support for parents to choose fun, adventure, magic, dreams and memories with the time the family has left with their precious child. Their approach is to outweigh the hardship and pain with fun, laughter and love; Oscar’s Kids offer families an opportunity to make precious memories while supporting parents with empathy and compassion.

—

For further information, please contact Niamh McCann (C.J.s Mammy):

 

Email: cjsrainbowcharity@gmail.com / niamhemccann@gmail.com

Phone: 087-6442249

Instagram: @cjsrainbow https://www.instagram.com/cjsrainbow/

Facebook: CJs Rainbow Charity https://www.facebook.com/cjsrainbowcharitycycle/

iDonate: www.idonate.ie/event/cjsrainbow