Inaugural Golf Classic at K Club in memory of Emma Hannigan

The inaugural Emma Hannigan Memorial Golf Classic hosted by Breast Cancer Ireland took place on Thursday, September 6 at The K Club, Co Kildare. The award-winning novelist and campaigner, who passed away six months ago (March 3, 2018) was a staunch supporter of the research and awareness efforts of the charity.

Emma’s father Philip Hannigan was keen to continue his late daughter’s passion for advancing breast cancer research and agreed to sponsor this event through his company, Hard Metal Machine Tools Ltd. His wish is that through this sponsorship Breast Cancer Ireland will be able to maximise revenue and ensure all funds raised on the day will speed up research discovery times to affect better treatment outcomes for those impacted by breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Ireland CEO Aisling Hurley read out a statement on behalf of the family, who were not able to attend the event. “All who participated in this first Emma Hannigan Memorial Golf Classic did Emma a great honour supporting this fundraising event. Breast Cancer Ireland, for which Emma was an ambassador, was her chosen charity and she endeavoured, even in the last days of her life, to raise funds for them. She was trying to help prevent other families suffering as we have over the last 12 years. The research fellowship awarded in Emma’s name, and funded by BCI, is a welcome and fitting tribute to her. Emma believed that, in time, a cure for her form of cancer would be found. It is so sad and unfair that her time ran out before research solved the problem.”

The statement continued, “Emma reached out, throughout her suffering, to help other cancer victims, and her legacy lives on in all who support this great charity. If she were writing this she would, again, ask you to send a donation to Breast Cancer Ireland. As many of you will already know, Emma travelled far and wide speaking about cancer and encouraging those afflicted to be open and speak about it. She reminded us all that research will eventually find the cures necessary for this complicated, widespread disease. We, her family, have lost her but the fight continues, and we urge you to support the fight.”

Through her ‘TEXT CURE’ campaign, Emma raised over €133,000 in the weeks before she died. She was honoured through a research fellowship, The Emma Hannigan Breast Cancer Research Fellowship, which was awarded to research fellow Dr Damir Vareslija earlier this year. The inaugural golf event raised in excess of €39,000.

Aisling Hurley added, “It is fitting that at the six-month anniversary of Emma’s passing we are continuing her legacy and honouring her wishes by funding new research and transforming the landscape of breast cancer in Ireland into the future.”

Breast Cancer Ireland raises significant funding to help advance breast cancer research discovery times as well as promoting education and awareness on the importance of breast health amongst women of all ages.

To support Breast Cancer Ireland, text CURE to 50300 to donate €4.

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