Jim Bolger and Davy Russell announce that they have raised €400,000 for Cancer Research

Wexford Trainer Jim Bolger and Cork Jockey Davy Russell have announced that they have now raised over €400,000 for the Irish Cancer Society’s work in Cancer Research. They have generated this huge sum through their annual celebrity hurling match, which takes place in Newbridge each August and brings together stars from screen and sport across the country to play a special charity hurling match. 2015’s event, which was the fourth, brought in just over €100,000 – contributing to the overall total. Hurling for Cancer Research began in 2012, since then Jim Bolger’s Stars have faced off against Davy Russell’s Best for the last four years. The first two matches ended in a draw and the last two saw Jim Bolger’s Stars take victory. This year’s game, which will take place Tuesday August 9th at 6.30pm in St. Conleth’s Park, is eagerly anticipated, especially by Davy Russell’s Best who are keen to claim victory after a two year winning streak for Jim Bolger’s Stars. Jim Bolger, said “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported this event over the last four years. All those that took to the field for a great evening of hurling; everyone that bought tickets and donated; and every sponsor, helper and entertainer who has contributed. It takes an army of support to make an event like this possible and I am so grateful for all the backing received. The enthusiasm and dedication of all involved makes for a wonderfully entertaining evening and a successful fundraisier for a very important cause.” Mark Mellett, Head of Fundraising, Irish Cancer Society said “We are delighted with the massive sum of money that Jim Bolger and Davy Russell have raised through Hurling for Cancer Research. This money will be put to work funding cancer research projects that will improve the lives of those with cancer – developing better treatments and techniques to diagnose and treat this disease. The annual hurling match has become a real fixture in our calendars and it is something we all look forward to each year. We hope that the 2016 game will be the best ever.” Just last month the Irish Cancer Society launched their second collaborative cancer research initiative – the Blood Cancer Network Ireland, which will bring fresh hope for blood cancer patients in Ireland representing a multimillion euro investment in cancer research by the Irish Cancer Society, who are investing alongside Science Foundation Ireland. Over the next five years, Blood Cancer Network Ireland (BCNI) hopes to make novel drugs and treatments available to patients with all types of blood cancers across Ireland. The first clinical trials being rolled out through BCNI will bring fresh hope, in particular, to patients with difficult to treat blood cancers. Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) or Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) will be among the first to take part in early phase clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of experimental and potentially life-saving drugs that are in development. Early stage clinical trials test the safety, efficacy, dosage, and side effects of new drugs and treatments on a small number of patients, usually at an advanced stage of disease. These trials are the first hurdle in the licensing process in the development of experimental drugs and treatments. Progressing cancer research is only made possible through fantastic initiatives like Hurling for Cancer Research. For further information on the Irish Cancer Society’s Research Programme or Hurling for Cancer Research please visit www.cancer.ie