GAA's Michael Darragh MacAuley and the NFL's Chris Draft join forces for Irish Cancer Society's lung cancer awareness campaign

American football star Chris Draft and Dublin GAA hero Michael Darragh MacAuley joined forces today to help highlight Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place throughout January. More than 2,500 people in Ireland are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and both sportsmen know what it’s like to lose a loved one to the disease.

Chris Draft’s wife Keasha was just 38 when she died of lung cancer in December 2011, a year after diagnosis. Since then Chris has become a staunch advocate for lung cancer patients and their caregivers.

Draft said, “Keasha’s diagnosis came as a huge shock. She never smoked, so I never thought it was even possible. However, I soon realised the importance of a positive outlook. I needed hope and energy so that Keasha and I could get through a hugely difficult time. Thankfully, we found that hope and energy, which led to our wedding day one month before she passed.

“The psychological and emotional needs of lung cancer patients, and their carer-givers, are so wide-ranging so it’s really important that everyone has the necessary supports available to help them get through such a difficult time.”

Six-time All-Ireland winning footballer Michael Darragh MacAuley lost his mother Rosaleen to lung cancer when he was just 12. “Mam was in and out of intensive care for the last two years of her life, and while I was aware of it, I was also just a young boy.

“Looking back on that period, I can imagine how tough that must have been on my Dad. He was a GP, so obviously that level of knowledge helped in her care a lot, but the emotional and psychological toll on him must have been difficult. Twenty years ago, these weren’t things ever really talked about as much as they are now.”

The sports stars met for in Dublin today as part of the Irish Cancer Society’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and to raise awareness of lung cancer and highlight the supports that are available to lung cancer patients and their caregivers in Ireland.

Research commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society and led by Dublin City University showed a number of psychological and social needs of people with lung cancer and their families are not being met.

The Irish Cancer Society provides information, support and advice to patients and their loved ones on all aspects of the cancer journey. Anyone with concerns or questions can call the Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700 or drop into one of 13 Daffodil Centres in hospitals nationwide. More information, including a lung health checker and booklets on coping with cancer for patients and loved ones, can be found on www.cancer.ie