Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes from Caher, Feakle was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer last May – He had suffered a Heart Attack in August of 2009 and had a stent fitted.
Pat joined John Cooke in studio on Wednesday’s Morning Focus to tell his story and encourage men to seek medical checks and attention if they have any doubts about their health. His appeal on Clare FM is the first time he’s spoken about his own personal battles with illness and comes as part of the Blue September Initiative – aimed at raising awareness of men’s health issues like cancer and other illnesses
This is the latest in a series of Clare FM interviews on Blue September, most recently Fr Harry Bohan spoke about his battle with cancer
Useful websites and numbers:
Blue September Ireland
Blue September was a concept developed in New Zealand in 2008 on behalf of The Prostate Cancer Foundation in New Zealand. In Australia it is celebrated on behalf of Bowel Cancer Australia and The Australian Cancer Research Foundation, in California it is on behalf of The Prostate Cancer Foundation. Blue September will also launch this year on behalf of the Men’s Health Forum.
This is part of a growing global initiative to encourage men to face up to cancer.
www.blueseptember.ie
Irish Cancer Society
National Cancer Helpline 1800 200 700
www.cancer.ie
The Irish Heart Foundation
Their latest campaign ‘Don’t die of embarrassment, call 999’
Helpline 1860 432 787
www.irishheart.ie
Now while over 70,000 people turned out for the Ploughing Championships in KIldare yesterday – with at least another 100,000 expected today and tomorrow – they have to cover a 700 acre site if they want to view all exhibitors, all the entertainment and all of the festivities on offer. It may seem surprising – though – not if you’re tired on your feet – that many people attending the Festival of farming near Athy never actually get to view the ploughing competitions themselves – such is the distance involved in their treck from commercial exhibits to world class and traditional ploughing in the vast fields away from the crowds.
After yesterday’s live broadcast – John Cooke and Niamh McNamara took a long walk to the ploughing fields to view the various events taking place, and for a more peaceful chat with some of those gathered to view the real ploughing championships themselves:
Phillip Larkin – Galway
Viewing the Traditional Horse Ploughing and assisting Godfrey Worrell from Kildare as he cmpeted with four cob horses
Phillip is competing himself in the Special Ploughing Classes on Thursday
John and Eileen – Co. Laois
Viewing the Traditional Horse Ploughing
Pat Linehan – Waterford
Viewing the Vintage Tractor Ploughing
Rick Weber
Clark County, Virginia, USA
Visiting Ireland on holidays and viewing the world class Tractor Ploughing and reversible competitions at the ploughing
Finny and Anne – Cork and Castledermot, near Athy in County Kildare
Pleased with the boost of the ploughing championships for Kildare over the last three years
Sinead Corbett of Newmarket on Fergus competed at the National Ploughing Championships yesterday and came in second in the U28 Conventional Junior category
Have your say on this week’s Clare FM Online poll:
The retired Bishop of Derry Dr Edward Daly has said the Catholic Church should urgently revisit the issue of celibacy. Dr Daly says he would like to see members of the clergy given the right to marry. He made the comments in his book "A Troubled See, Memoirs of a Derry Bishop" out this month. He recounts his heartache, when as a bishop; he saw priests resign from their ministry because they had fallen in love and wanted to marry. He is one of the most senior figures in the Irish Catholic Church to say celibacy is damaging the church.
This week www.clare.fm is asking you – Should Priests be allowed to marry?
• Yes
• No
• Don’t Know?
Sharon Cahir of Cahir and Co. Solicitors, Ennis and volunteer solicitor with the Clare Citizens’ Information Service Free Legal Advice Clinic joined John in studio to continue the agricultural theme. She spoke about claiming compensation and accidents on farms.
Tony Mc Mahon is President of the Shannon and District Lions Club
Their 10k walk takes place this Saturday with proceeds going towards the Christmas Food appeal and other local projects. Register on www.runireland.ie or call 086 235 9277
Clare ISPCA Warden Frankie Coote had advice on the proper care of animals and legislative obligations of animal owners
Paul Wolfe of the Clare Citizens’ Information Service answered listeners’ queries on social welfare entitlemwnts, employment and consumer law.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
