Press Release – Dublin, June 26th 2019
The Caroline Foundation Climb Pointe Burnaby to Support Cancer Research
On July 04 this year, 18 Irish people will set out to climb the Alpine summit of Pointe Burnaby, a 4,153-metre-high, snow-covered peak near the Matterhorn above Zermatt in Switzerland, all in aid of Greystones-based cancer research charity the Caroline Foundation.
Following several months of training across peaks and mountains in Wicklow, Kerry and Sligo, the group will travel to Zermatt on June 29, to spend four days acclimatising to the Alpine altitude before summiting Pointe Burnaby on July 04.
The climbing group includes a 72-year old veteran businessman, an entrepreneur, a former Dragon’s Den panellist and cancer survivor, a former radio station CEO and several other cancer survivors and supporters. Each member of the expedition has been touched by cancer, either personally or through a loved one.
Embarking on such a tough mental and physical challenge for the group, who have all been touched by cancer, either personally or through a loved one, takes strength, resilience and determination. This group has two clear goals in sight, to highlight the critical importance of medical research in Ireland into cancer and to raise funds for leading oncologist Professor John Crown’s research team via the Caroline Foundation.
Among the climbers is the Caroline Foundation’s chairman, Helen O’Sullivan-Dwyer (68) and her husband, 72-year-old businessman and hotelier, Dermod. The Caroline Foundation is named in memory of Dermod’s daughter Caroline Dwyer-Hickey who died in 2013 from HER2+, genetically triggered breast cancer. Caroline was aged 35 and lost her mother, Fidelma, to the same disease in 1989, aged just 38.
“We are applying these insights into potential treatments for HER2+ triggered cancer, as well as other cancer types, such as triple negative.”
“To quote Barry Finlay, ‘Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing’, and this was never so true as with this group. This is a really tough personal, mental and physical challenge for all taking part, especially those who are survivors of cancer and have been touched by it.”
“The motive that drives each member of this wonderful group is to advance cancer research in Ireland to find new treatments to alleviate and ultimately conquer cancer. And that motive is, indeed, very special!”
About the expedition group
The Pointe Burnaby Alpine Challenge will be led by explorer and experienced climber Bill Roberts of Delgany, fitness coach Adam Kelly of Pura Vida. Greystones, and Miles Bright, a distinguished Alpine guide who is based in Chamonix.
- Bobby Kerr, founder of the Insomnia cafe chain, former Dragon, radio personality and a cancer survivor
- Liam Sheehan, former commercial marketing director of An Post
- Frank Cronin, former CEO of Newstalk FM whose treatment for cancer earlier this year necessitated the removal of his bladder, stealing his determination to make the climb nonetheless
- Dr Hugh Gallagher, an addiction counsellor with the HSE
- Cancer survivor, Karen Hodgins, and her sister Thelma
- Grace Delahunt who has lost her sister Catherine O’Reilly to cancer and more recently lost her sister-in-law, former Circuit Court Judge Katherine Delahunt to the same disease in 2015
- Tara McMahon, who has lost friends to cancer
- Patty Roberts from Delgany
- School friend of Caroline Dwyer-Hickey, Sarah Conry-Cunningham and her husband, Al Cunningham
- Denis Dwyer, Caroline’s brother
- Dermod Dwyer, Caroline’s father and executive chairman of The Convention Centre Dublin, board director of Powerscourt Estate, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
- Helen O’Sullivan-Dwyer, chair of the Caroline Foundation
- Businessman and equestrian industry accountant Mark Sherry
- Retired Irish Times Deputy Editor journalist Peter Murtagh
High quality filming of the climb, suitable for broadcasting, is being made.
REMINDER – DATE FOR THE DIARY: Annual charity lunch Friday 4th October 2019 in The Marker Hotel | Book your table, email helen@thecarolinefoundation.com