Rovers’ manager opens up about family’s cancer journey

SHAMROCK Rovers’ manager Stephen Bradley has opened up about his family’s journey with cancer ahead of the Irish Cancer Society’s Relay for Life this Friday, September 29.

From Tallaght, Stephen is encouraging everyone to show solidarity and support for those affected by cancer and to take part in Relay for Life at the Aviva on September 29.

Speaking of solidarity, Stephen hailed the public support his family received after opposing fans at a League of Ireland match earlier this year engaged in cruel chants about his youngest son, Josh (8) – who had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

“Hearing ‘it’s cancer’ is devastating, your whole world is turned upside down in the blink of an eye”, Stephen said.

“As a parent your job is to protect your kids at all costs.

“When cancer hits, you can’t protect them at that time and that’s the worst thing.

“I watched my mam pass from cancer a few years back, it was devastating.

“I always said nothing in the football world could affect me or upset me as much as that – it’s only a job.

“But that night when the abuse was sung about Josh having cancer it really took me aback.

“I really thought about quitting, but they’d just be winning if I quit”.

Following the abusive chants of a minority, Stephen and his family received an outpouring of unwavering support from the public.

“What got us through was the support we felt from all over the country – the letters, the emails, the texts, it was phenomenal,” Stephen said.

“We were blown away by the support that people showed to us, something like that really knocks you, you think how low can people go, but the response reaffirms that there is so much good in the world and this country is incredible for that.”

The biggest cancer fundraiser in the world, with 14 events taking place nationally, Relay for Life is for everyone.

Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society, said: “Relay for Life is the biggest cancer fundraiser in the world, with 14 events taking place across Ireland every year.

“We want to grow this footprint and ensure every county in Ireland has a least one Relay for Life to celebrate and remember those who have gone and those who have survived cancer.

“The event in the Aviva on [September 29] will bring Relay for Life to a national stage.

“Whether you’ve had a cancer diagnosis yourself, are supporting someone affected, or have lost a loved one to the disease, please come along on the 29th to experience the magic of Relay for Life.

“Let’s come together in a powerful moment of hope for everyone affected by cancer in Ireland.”

On the evening, Westlife’s Shane Filan will be joined by participants as they walk laps of the Aviva in memory of those lost to cancer.

The walk will also celebrate and give hope to the estimated 200,000 cancer survivors in Ireland today, the Irish Cancer Society said.

The highlight of the event will be the inaugural national Candle of Hope ceremony, where thousands of candle bags personalised with messages of hope will be lit to celebrate cancer survivors and remember loved ones.

Tickets to the event are €15 plus booking fee and available through ticketmaster.ie.

Anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis can join the event as a Survivor Participant and join the opening walk.

Tickets for survivor participants are free.

For further details on how you can be part of Relay for Life, both at the Aviva or from home, visit cancer.

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