BCRT is delighted to have two trustees who live in Ireland and who are working hard to raise the profile of the charity and to raise funds for research into bone cancers.

Patricia Smith

Following the loss of their daughter Krystle to Ewing’s sarcoma in 2002, Patricia and Chris Smith from Ireland, resolved to raise funds for research. Initially they knew of the Adam Dealey Foundation, set up by John and Marian Dealey in memory of their son Adam, and joined them in contributing funds raised to research into Ewing’s sarcoma. In 2004 BCRT was established and both Patricia Smith and John Dealey joined other parents and supporters in becoming founding trustees of this national charity.

Patricia and Chris faithfully fly over to Leicester for BCRT’s regular Trustees’ Meetings and continue their fundraising, working incredibly hard in and around their home town of Arklow in Ireland. Patricia raises all the money using collecting boxes. Supported by Chris, she walks and drives many miles encouraging local shops and businesses to fill the boxes over and over again. At the recent Bláithnaid Foley Trust Ball, Patricia presented BCRT with a further €2,500 bringing the total she has raised to more than €35,000. Very many thanks Patricia.

Fiona Foley

Whilst in hospital with her daughter Bláthnaid, who sadly lost her fight against Ewing’s sarcoma in 2006, Fiona picked up a leaflet and discovered the Bone Cancer Research Trust. It was an ambition of Bláthnaid’s to raise funds for research but unfortunately she was never well enough to do so. Fiona and her husband John formed the Bláthnaid Foley Trust to carry out her wishes and a Ball was held in their home town of Sligo in Ireland on the 24th March 2007 on the eve of Bláthnaid’s 14th birthday. Later in the year Fiona attended BCRT’s first conference. She was able to meet the Trustees and generously presented a cheque for €25,000 raised in memory of Bláthnaid.

This year’s Ball in Sligo was every bit as successful as the first and this time included Dr. Ian Lewis, BCRT’s Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Panel and a Trustee, as the guest speaker. Fellow trustees Patrick Hardman and Patricia Smith also attended. Ian talked about the importance of research into this rare but devastating disease and the support that BCRT could give to improve the outcome for future sufferers. He congratulated the people of Sligo on their tremendous support and gratefully received a cheque on behalf of the charity from Fiona for €50,000.

We are delighted that Fiona herself has now agreed to become a Trustee of BCRT and with all the enthusiasm and skills that both she and Patricia bring to the role, we look forward to BCRT in Ireland growing from strength to strength. If you would like to be involved with BCRT in Ireland, please get in touch with either of our Trustees in Ireland:

Patricia Smith: patricia@bonecancerresearch.org Tel: 0402 39370
Fiona Foley: fiona@bonecancerresearch.org