Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge participant Karen – ‘Without vital cancer research I wouldn’t have had treatment options’

Karen Carey always had a notion of participating in the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge as she saw participants going by her house each year, but she could never have expected that a cancer diagnosis of her own would provide the opportunity and the motivation to do it herself.

“We actually live on the route and they walk right past my house. We moved down here about 20 years ago and I’ve always said I’d love to do the challenge, but the time was just never right,” says Karen, a resident of Hilltown in Wesmeath whose home sits on the 35 mile mark of the scenic route.  

Then six years ago, Karen received the life-changing news that she had melanoma. Getting a diagnosis is tough enough without accompanying uncertainty over treatment options, and Karen is thankful that advances in cancer research have now delivered an effective form of treatment for her.

“So that’s why I’d like to give back and raise money to help people have hope and the chance of treatment,” she says.

Despite the difficulties she has encountered Karen perhaps unsurprisingly describes herself as a “strong” person, and is looking forward to her debut 50 Mile Challenge with eager anticipation rather than any sense of apprehension.

Training

“When I was off work this year with my second bout of treatment I just thought that this will give me something to aim for and to train for. I have done all the training, and we did 22 miles in that searing heat last week before ending up on the beach!