Downpatrick sisters lead Race for Life cancer event

Downpatrick sisters lead Race for Life cancer event

30 May 2018

FOUR Downpatrick sisters who lost their mum to lung cancer have led an army of over 3,000 women at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Sunday’s event saw Stormont transformed into a sea of pink as sisters Sinead McGarry, Nuala Mifsud, Emma Cusack and Ciara Reid, who were chosen as VIPs for the running event, paid tribute to a mum who always put her family first.

Margaret Cusack was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2016 and sadly passed away in January last year.

Her daughters took to the stage at Race for Life, where they were joined by Cool FM’s Rebecca McKinney, Pete Snodden and Paulo Ross.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Sinead said: “Our mum, Margaret Cusack, was diagnosed with lung cancer on September 21, 2016. She was someone who had never been ill, so her diagnosis came as quite a shock.

“Mum had a bad cough during Christmas 2015 and as it was dragging on, so we persuaded her to see her GP.

“She was diagnosed with bronchitis and advised to go home and rest, so she took two weeks off work and rested.”

Sinead explained that Margaret, who worked as a carer for the elderly for over 20 years, was loved by all her patients and work colleagues and was very sad when the home closed down. She said her mum continued working with adults who had learning disabilities, with her gentle kindness and thoughtfulness again shining through.

“Dad was thinking of retirement,” Sinead continued. “So he and mum decided they would retire together after Christmas and they booked a cruise to celebrate, but as Mum’s cough persisted Nuala and I persuaded her to get it checked again before their cruise.”

Margaret returned to her own doctor in July, and other tests were carried out, before a phone call broke the news that something sinister had shown up in a CT scan.

“Mum was then referred to a respiratory consultant at the Ulster Hospital and two weeks later he delivered the devastating news that it was a small tumour at bottom of left lung but it had spread to lymph nodes in chest wall,” said Sinead.

“He then couldn’t tell us what stage it was at until a bronchoscopy and pet scan was done.”

Margaret had to wait until August 31 before having the bronchoscopy and there was even more bad news when she attended for her PET scan. They were unable to complete it because her blood sugars were too high and she was given the added diagnosis of diabetes.

“A week later the scan was completed and on September 21, 2016, we were given the shattering news that Mum had stage 3 lung cancer, which was treatable but not curable,” Sinead said.

“Sadly dreams of retirement with Dad and a wonderful cruise were not to be as she lost her battle with cancer on January 6, 2017.

“On reflection, we feel that Mum had tried to protect us during this journey, by keeping a lot to herself. That was typical of her – a very private, quiet and humble woman who always put her family first – yet she was a tower of strength to all of us.

“Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives, but we are keen to advise people that if you have a cough that lasts longer than six weeks, please do go and see your doctor. It probably won’t be cancer, but if it is, the earlier it is diagnosed the greater the chance of survival.”

The family are determined to keep their mum’s memory alive and are proud of the fact that their dad, who they say is lost without their mum, came along and volunteered to help at the Race for Life event.

Speaking on behalf of her sisters, Sinead added: “It was an emotional day, but I felt proud to be part of such a brilliant event. We will definitely do the Race for Life every year now.”

Race for Life event manager for Northern Ireland, Frances Kippax-Geary, said: “The support people across Northern Ireland have shown is absolutely tremendous and we are thrilled so many women took part in Race for Life.

“We want to say a heart-felt thanks to everyone who took part or supported our participants, as well as the wonderful volunteers who helped make it happen. Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer, but thanks to the huge progress that has been made in the fight against the disease, more people in Northern Ireland are surviving cancer than ever before.

“Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we can fund, the sooner that day will come.”