Once again we would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved in ensuring that this year’s Ball was such a triumphant success and proved to be such a great night. This year we managed to raise an amazing €35,500. This incredible sum will enable us to continue to sponsor research into the devastating disease that claimed Bláthnaid’s life but also to continue to invest in projects here in Sligo. Well done everyone!

On the night guests were greeted with a drinks reception and then proceeded through to the beautifully decorated hall they were treated to a lively performance of Peter Crann and the Samboeire Samba Band from Sligo, winners in the St Patrick’s Day Parade earlier in the week.

Due to Easter Celebration commitments Fr John was unable to stay for the entire evening but he did attend and commenced proceedings with a few words and Grace before Meal. Following a magnificent meal prepared by Chef Joe Shannon and his team, Declan Hegarty introduced the next part of the night by initially welcoming everyone present and expressing delight at the response and continued generosity the Trust had encountered when undertaking the second annual Ball. Declan also explained the recent launch by the Trust of a ‘Comfort Fund’ established to help provide financial relief for children and their families in the North West diagnosed with a life threatening illness. He also revealed the provision of funds by the Trust to provide specialist palliative paediatric training for Homecare nurses. Declan then introduced the night’s guest speaker Professor Ian Lewis Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist at St James's University Hospital Leeds. Ian has had extensive involvement in bone tumour research for approaching 20 years and as a Trustee of the Bone Cancer Research Trust is heavily involved in promoting research into Bone Cancer. Recently Ian was made Honorary Professor of Cancer Studies in Children and Young People by the University of Leeds.

Ian began by expressing his pleasure to be in Sligo and extended thanks for the warm welcome received by him, his wife Sue and young son Dan also at the Ball. He mentioned that his first trip to Ireland was an ill-fated trip to Croke Park to see England take on Ireland at Rugby and having paid an extortionate sum for his ticket discovered it to be a dud. His second trip to Ireland resulted in the plane he was a passenger on being struck by lightening en route to Sligo from Dublin but neither experience had been sufficient to deter him from a ‘third time lucky’ attempt, quite the reverse! Ian explained his role as Chairman of the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) Scientific Advisory Panel and what happens to money raised for research into Bone Cancer. He said that the Ball was a superb event and congratulated the Bláthnaid Foley Trust on its fund raising efforts. Thirty years ago, when Ian started in Medicine, the vast majority of bone cancer patients died but now this has improved. Nevertheless in the region of approximately 40% of overall patients with bone cancer die and this is a terrible burden not just on the immediate family but on the wider community where they live. In some cases the tragic death of a young person brings a community together and such was the case tonight. It is only three and a half years since Ian was contacted by families throughout the UK and Ireland and realised there was no existing charity for Bone Cancer and so the BCRT came to be. Ian also announced the recent appointment of Fiona Foley to the board of Trustees of the BCRT.

Following Ian’s moving speech he was presented by Chairperson of the Bláthnaid Foley Trust, Fergal Broder, with a cheque in the sum of €50,000 to further sponsor research into Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Also attending the Ball were two other Trustees of the BCRT and their partners. Patricia and Chris Smith were attending for the second year and Patrick Hardman and his partner Ros were in Sligo for the first time. Patricia initially made contact with Fiona when Bláthnaid was still alive and had suffered a relapse of her disease. She had lost her only daughter, Krystle at the age of 18 on the 15 th of March 2002 (visit www.krystlesmith.org ). Since Krystle’s tragic death Patricia has dedicated herself to helping raise funds for research and was one of the founding Trustees of the BCRT and the only one from Ireland until Fiona’s recent appointment. Patricia followed the presentation to Ian with one of her own of €2,500. This sum is only part of the entire picture as Patricia has raised €95,500 for research since Krystle passed away. She was overwhelmed by the amount presented to Ian and was clearly emotional but nevertheless had the courage to speak. She introduced herself, her husband Chris and the other BCRT Trustee, Patrick Hardman and his partner Ros and mentioned their children Krystle, and Christopher Hardman, Patrick’s only son who died from another form of Bone Cancer called Osteosarcoma aged 15 in October 2004 (visit CHORF at www.chorf.co.uk ). She said that they had come to lend their support to the Bláthnaid Foley Trust but also to John, Fiona and their family. She mentioned the vital work of the BCRT and that there were currently seven ground breaking projects sponsored by the BCRT underway at a cost of around STG£35,000 each. She spoke of the fundamental need to provide accurate diagnosis of bone cancer and improve awareness. Finally she mentioned the role of support provided by the BCRT. She spoke of the upcoming conference to be held on the 28 th of June in Leicester and concluded wishing everyone a great night. Patricia received a standing ovation for her truly poignant words.

John, Bláthnaid’s Dad, then rounded off the nights speakers by once again, expressing heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Trustees but also his family for the truly inspirational support and care provided by so many since Bláthnaid’s untimely death, most especially the people of Sligo. He expressed the appropriate nature of the Ball as a means of celebrating Bláthnaid’s life and raising much needed funds to help other children and young people, as the idea had been solely hers. He said that the success of the Trust had enabled the launch of locally based initiatives such as the comfort fund and how fitting it was to give back to the community that had supported his daughter so well. He spoke of the diverse nature of fund raising events undertaken by many who had never even met Bláthnaid and mentioned some of the events from the last twelve months including,

Then Robbie Fitzpatrick, once again MC for the Ball, took to the floor and the Auction took place. Once again this year there was a diverse range of unique lots and Robbie coaxed, cajoled and entertained his audience and although he succeeded in raising €15,500 this was undertaken with a great sense of fun and proved to be a very popular and enjoyable part of the night.

The night’s business concluded all that remained to ensure a complete success was for Brian McDermott and his Band to take to the stage and the dancing continued into the early hours.

info@bftrust.org

More Links

• Contact Us
• How to Care for a Child with Cancer
• Early Diagnosis
• Research
• Bláthnaid's Gallery
• Other Stories
• Bláthnaid's Requiem
• Links
• Trustees
• Special Thanks

Why Early Detection is Important

Childhood cancers spread very rapidly and early detection can save a life.
More info...