A Tribute to Pat Smullen From Cancer Trials Ireland

Editor’s note, the following is a letter sent from Cancer Trials Ireland to the family of Pat Smullen, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on Tuesday evening.

To the family of Pat Smullen

It is with a very heavy heart that, on behalf of the staff and members of Cancer Trials Ireland, we put pen to paper in remembrance of our friend, and benefactor, Pat Smullen.

Pat was a friend like no other. Almost a year ago to the day, Pat and his supporters raised a game-changing €2.6m for pancreatic cancer clinical trials. We would like to put this into context for you–just how dramatic and unusual this degree of fundraising is.

Earlier this year, Comic Relief reached out to the entire country and raised almost €6m with the help of a host of celebs across several hours of primetime TV. Pat Smullen and the horse racing community raised almost half that–€2.6m–for pancreatic cancer clinical trials alone. People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ireland will feel the benefit of it for years, if not decades, to come.

The low incidence of pancreatic cancer (around 560 people diagnosed in Ireland each year), the fact that it is not usually diagnosed early, and the relative difficulty of treating the disease effectively with the usual tools (chemotherapy; radiotherapy) make for a challenging, sparse research environment. But as a direct result of the funds Pat helped raise, Cancer Trials Ireland received nine research proposals this year. Three studies are now being advanced or explored, one of which will open in Ireland in a matter of weeks.

That is the work Pat has enabled us to do. But that is not all that Pat did for Cancer Trials Ireland. Last November, he helped us to raise more than €120,000 for ovarian and prostate cancer trials. Earlier this year, he gave us the go ahead to fund a Next Generation Sequencing machine (€100,000) for St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. This machine will allow doctors to genetically sequence pancreatic cancer tumours, and other tumours, potentially opening up treatment options for thousands of people with all types of cancer. On a more personal level, Pat continually made himself available for interviews, photo calls, and phone calls–anything that might help people in a situation similar to his own.

It is a mark of the man that he had such a wide-ranging generosity. Pat’s popularity–and humility – was and is legendary. It was truly remarkable, and inspiring, to see that these qualities can coexist with the drive and determination it takes to reach the very top of his demanding sport. Our thoughts, today and always, are with the Pat’s wife Frances, his children Hannah, Paddy and Sarah, and his wider family.

Clinical trials offer patients very real, tangible, important benefits–but they can also provide something as vital as it is intangible: Hope. That is Pat’s real gift to the people who come after him, who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The outpouring of love and support his efforts have generated give hope to us all.

Thank you, Pat.

Eibhlín Mulroe, CEO & Prof Ray McDermott, Clinical Lead, Cancer Trials Ireland – on behalf of staff

 

Funeral Arrangements

  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family funeral will be held at 2 p.m. in St. Peter’s Church, Rhode, Co. Offaly on Friday, Sept. 18th, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
  • To view the funeral mass via Zoom, the Meeting ID is 6949803979 and the Passcode is 12345.
  • The Smullen family would like to thank you for your understanding and support at this difficult and sad time.

 

The post A Tribute to Pat Smullen From Cancer Trials Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Kendra Scott Offers Horseshoe Charm to Benefit TAA

Fashion and lifestyle brand Kendra Scott will offer 50% of proceeds from sales of its horseshoe charm to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Aug. 30 through Nov. 7. The charm retails for $35 and is available in four colors. It can be purchased here.

The post Kendra Scott Offers Horseshoe Charm to Benefit TAA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

New Items Available Through NYRA Cares

Racing fans now have the opportunity to win new Saratoga hospitality experiences and memorabilia with the addition of a series of items to the NYRA Cares charitable program, which supports local non-profit organizations.

Featured new items include a table for four in the Turf Terrace on GI Whitney Day for the 2021 meet and seating for four next summer at The Rail at the 1863 Club on GI Alabama Day. Also included is a Saratoga Springs Monopoly game signed by Barclay Tagg and Saratoga banners which are featured on Broadway.

Each item will be awarded via drawing. Fans can purchase entry tickets at NYRACares.org. Entry tickets are $10 and provide one entry for the corresponding item. There is no limit on the number of tickets a fan can purchase per item. Tickets may be purchased until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Winners will be selected by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Friday, Sept. 4.

All proceeds benefit the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund, which will distribute grants from the funds that are generated to local non-profit organizations. Established in 2009, the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund serves as a source of philanthropic support for local charities.

The post New Items Available Through NYRA Cares appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Yorkshire Open Day Goes Virtual

The inaugural Virtual Yorkshire Open Day hosted by Racing Welfare will be on Sept. 13. Due to COVID, the event replaces the Middleham and Malton Open Days, which were cancelled. The Virtual Open Day will feature racehorse trainers from across the county providing video tours and other insights into their training operations, as well as equine superstars and horses to follow. For more information, go to www.racingwelfare.co.uk/yorkshireopenday/.

There will also be a Virtual Epsom Open Day on Aug. 31 which will also showcase the Derby’s rich history through video tours, interviews with trainers and racing staff based in the town. For more information on the Epsom event, please go to www.racingwelfare.co.uk/epsomopenday/.

Racing Welfare will be conducting a national online auction to assist in fundraising efforts during the virtual open days which will go live on Aug. 27 and end on Sept. 24. Donations made during these events will be used to provide a full range of support services to all of racing’s people and will aid in developing local projects in both areas.

The post Yorkshire Open Day Goes Virtual appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights