The inaugural Emer Casey memorial 10k, which took place on the 27th of May 2007 was a phenomenal success. There was tremendous support, goodwill and generosity in the build up to the race and this resulted in a very well organised and enjoyable day. The 800 plus participants in the race came from all over the country together with representatives from Scotland, the U.K., Australia, Switzerland, Germany and the U.S.A. The 10k was very kindly sponsored by Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors, Dublin. Gerard Galvin’s goody-bags also ensured that nobody went home empty handed. The overwhelming support from the local community ensured that everybody was well fed after the race with musical entertainment provided by J.J. Cooley and his band. The local Pobalscoil na Trionóide was a very welcome haven from the unforgiving elements with hot showers and teas all round. The Emer Casey Foundation would like to thank everybody who participated in the run/walk and to acknowledge the very generous donations and sponsorship received.
Following the establishment of the Emer Casey Foundation, friends and supporters have generously organised and run several significant fundraising events. Thanks to this overwhelming support and enthusiasm from donors and fundraising organisers, The Emer Casey Foundation is now able to make an initial donation of €160,000 to the DISCOVARY research consortium. This research group is directly engaged in addressing the pathogenesis of the most silent and deadliest of all cancers affecting women.
This consortium is composed of researchers from several Irish institutions, whose aim is to develop a test for the early detection of ovarian and uterine cancer. These cancers are two of the most difficult cancers to detect and the development of an early test for their occurrence has the potential to save many lives in Ireland and abroad. The director of this consortium, Professor John O'Leary is director of pathology at the Coombe Women’s hospital and professor of pathology at Trinity College Dublin. The DISCOVARY research team is composed of gynaecologists, oncologists, pathologists, molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, cell biologists, surface chemists, pharmacologists and nurse specialists who have constructed a research pipeline that enables them to carry out individual yet linked projects. In this way, the consortium is broad-based with investigators from University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Galway (UCG) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). The consortium has also established substantial research links with world-leading professors in the USA both at the George Mason University Centre for Applied proteomics and molecular medicine and the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of California in Los Angeles.
The Emer Casey Foundation has agreed to fully fund two post-graduate researchers on a full-time basis for three years. These researchers will be based in TCD and UCD and will focus their research on (a) protein signatures in early and recurrent ovarian cancer and (b) developing novel therapeutic approaches in cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer patients.
The good work of the Foundation continues with the second Emer Casey memorial 10km road race in Youghal, Co. Cork on Sunday May 25th 2008. Many thanks to all the wonderful friends, supporters and contributors who have given of their time, money and efforts to establish and develop the important work of the Emer Casey Foundation.