Cork Woman Raises Over €31,000 for Aid Cancer Treatment Ahead of Vancouver Marathon
Aid Cancer Treatment is proud to recognise the extraordinary fundraising efforts of Caoimhe O’Sullivan, a primary school teacher from Glasheen in Cork who is currently living in Vancouver, Canada.
She has now raised more than €31,000 in support of cancer patients and services in Cork ahead of the upcoming BMO Vancouver Marathon.
On May 3rd, Caoimhe will take on the full 42.2km marathon in Vancouver, but for her, this year’s challenge represents far more than just another race.
She is running in loving memory of her uncle, Donal Butcher O’Sullivan, who sadly passed away from cancer in December 2025 after a brave battle at The Glandore Centre.
Dara (Caoimhe’s brother), Donal, Martin (Caoimhe’s Dad and Donal’s brother), Aisling (Donals wife) and Cian (Caoimhe’s brother).
She is also running in honour of her mother, Déirdre, who is currently undergoing treatment in Cork University Hospital following a recent leukaemia diagnosis.
Like many families, Caoimhe and her loved ones have experienced first-hand the emotional and physical realities of cancer treatment. Through that journey, they have also witnessed the compassion, expertise and dedication of staff at The Glandore Centre and the amazing staff in ward 2D in the CUH.
opened in 2019, was funded in part by Aid Cancer Treatment
Her campaign in support of Aid Cancer Treatment has become something truly remarkable. In the first 24 hours alone, Caoimhe’s efforts showed us there is a lot of good left in the world. In that time, Caoimhe’s fundraiser had risen to over €12,000. That was in January when she made the decision to commit to this immense challenge.
She says that is a “testament to the man” her uncle Donal was and the impact he had on so many people, both young and old, across all aspects of his life - through business, football and golf, whether at home in Castletownbere or in his adopted ‘happy place’ Vilamoura.
“Donal had 3 F’s that were important to him - Family, Football and Fishing! His ability to connect with people, be it in everyday life or football, was palpable. He was a larger than life character, with an infectious personality, incredible positive energy and great humour. Donal always went out of his way for everyone else. In all the worlds he touched, sport, community and the fishing industry - he made a huge difference!”
Since that first weekend at the turn of the year, Caoimhe’s page on iDonate.ie has climbed to over €31,000 with donations still open until the 10th of May.
What began as one woman taking on a challenge has grown into an internationally reaching movement of support, generosity and community spirit, with friends, family, colleagues and supporters rallying behind her from Cork to Canada and beyond.
Every euro raised will help Aid Cancer Treatment continue it’s mission of improving facilities, services and supports for cancer patients in Cork, while also contributing to ongoing cancer research efforts in the region.
Such as, the recent provision of flow cytometry equipment to University College Cork, Department of Surgery, on the Cork University Hospital campus.
Dr. Cathriona Foley said:
“This equipment has had an immediate impact on our research assessing whether an imbalance in a patient’s immune response before or after surgery may contribute to the return of cancer after surgery.”
Everyone at Aid Cancer Treatment has been deeply moved by Caoimhe’s courage, positivity and determination.
To raise such a huge amount is extraordinary.
To do so while carrying such deeply personal meaning makes it even more powerful.
As race day approaches, we simply want to say thank you.
Thank you Caoimhe, for your effort, your strength, and for turning personal loss into hope for others.
All of Cork will be cheering you on in Vancouver.
Click here to donate and show your support to this inspiring lady and her family’s journey.
To find out more about the race itself, visit: