Martin in 600-mile cycle for cancer charity

A 58-year-old cancer patient will complete a 600-mile cycle all over the West of Ireland in June to raise funds for a local cancer charity.
Originally from Clancy Strand in Limerick, Martin Connery moved to Mayo 25 years ago with his wife Leona, where they reared their two sons, Ian and Mark. They currently reside in Ballyhaunis.
The Life Cycle starts in Letterkenny on Saturday, June 12 and will finish at Inis Aoibhinn, Cancer Care West’s residential facility in Galway, on Sunday, June 20.
Martin will cycle from Letterkenny to Sligo on the Saturday, Sligo to Ballyhaunis the following day and from Ballyhaunis to Mountbellew a day later. Loughrea will be his next destination and he will take a rest day in Limerick on Thursday, June 17.
He then heads for Kilrush on Friday, June 18 before travelling to Lisdoonvarna on the eighth day, arriving in Galway on the Saturday.
Having astounded medical professionals by remaining well and healthy through an active lifestyle and positive attitude, Martin is embarking on the cycle to raise funds for Cancer Care West and to spread the positive message about his own life.
Martin was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2007. Subsequently, he underwent surgery and chemotherapy and almost died as a result of an allergic reaction to the chemotherapy drugs used. Shortly afterwards a large number of tumours appeared on Martins lungs. These tumours remain untreated because he is unable to complete chemotherapy.

However, he has continued to participate in his much-loved sport of cycling and has remained positive throughout this ordeal.
He has been involved in several tournaments over the years and some of his major achievements include A Flight of the Earls Cycle from Le Harve, France to Rome over the Alps in 1998 and cycling from Malin Head to Mizen Head in 23 hours 43 minutes the following year.
He cycled through the countryside of France from Paris to Nice in 2003 and more recently in 2006 Martin cycled over the Pyrenees and the Alps from Biarritz to Grenoble.
“I have experienced a lot of challenges over the past few years and being diagnosed with cancer was the last thing I expected as I have always lived a healthy lifestyle.
“I believe that your outlook has a lot to do with your management of cancer and so I have remained positive and healthy.
“I want to spread this message and take the opportunity to raise money for Cancer Care West, who is providing valuable cancer support services to many cancer patients and their families all over the West of Ireland,” he said.
Cancer Care West CEO, Richard Flaherty described Martin as a truly inspirational individual. “Cancer Care West are proud to be involved in the Life Cycle event and to have been selected by Martin as the charity to receive funds raised through his cycling endeavours. The charity hopes to raise funds through the Life Cycle campaign, which will enable us to continue working with cancer patients and their families from the West of Ireland,” he said.
Cancer Care West is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting those whose lives have been affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Its aim is to enhance patient care and wellbeing and to provide supports to cancer patients and their families during and after their treatment.
It provides residential accommodation and support services to cancer patients from all over the West of Ireland including Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, North Tipperary, Roscommon and Sligo.
To support Martin, contact Sharon Fitzpatrick at Cancer Care West on 091-545000/087 9120853 or visit www.cancercarewest.ie