Just €650 shy of her €34k target – there is still time to donate
15:54, 21 Apr 2026Updated 16:01, 21 Apr 2026
Caoimhe running the 2025 BMO Vancouver Marathon.
A primary school teacher from Cork has raised over €33k in support of cancer patients and services in Cork University Hospital. Hailing from Glasheen and living in Canada, Caoimhe O’Sullivan will be running the Vancouver Marathon next week.
And she is only €650 away from her huge fundraising goal of €34k. There is still time to donate here.
Caoimhe is fundraising for Aid Cancer Treatment (ACT) and will be running in honour of her mother, Déirdre, who is currently undergoing treatment in CUH following a recent leukaemia diagnosis. The Cork teacher is also running in loving memory of her uncle, Donal Butcher O’Sullivan. Donal sadly passed away from cancer in December 2025 after a brave battle at The Glandore Centre in CUH.
Support for Caoimhe’s campaign has been huge, with the fundraiser rising to over € 12,000 in the first 24 hours alone. That was in January, when she decided to commit to the immense challenge of running the BMO (Bank of Montreal) Vancouver Marathon.
Like many families, Caoimhe and her loved ones have experienced first-hand the emotional and physical realities of cancer treatment. Through that journey, they have also witnessed the compassion, expertise and dedication of staff at The Glandore Centre and at ward 2D in the CUH. A spokesperson from ACT said, “Thank you, Caoimhe, for your effort, your strength, and for turning personal loss into hope for others.”
The Glasheen woman said that the huge uptake in donations on the first day is a “testament to the man” her uncle Donal was and the impact he had on so many people, both young and old, across all aspects of his life – through business, football and golf, whether at home in Castletownbere or in his adopted ‘happy place’ Vilamoura.
Donal with family in Croke Park. From Left to Right:
Dara (Caoimhe’s brother), Donal, Martin (Caoimhe’s Dad and Donal’s brother), Aisling (Donals wife) and Cian (Caoimhe’s brother).
“Donal had 3 F’s that were important to him – Family, Football and Fishing! His ability to connect with people, be it in everyday life or football, was palpable. He was a larger-than-life character, with an infectious personality, incredible positive energy and great humour. Donal always went out of his way for everyone else. In all the worlds he touched, sport, community and the fishing industry – he made a huge difference!”
Since she started fundraising, Caoimhe’s page on iDonate.ie has climbed to over €33,000, with donations still open until the 10th of May.
What began as one woman taking on a challenge has grown into an internationally reaching movement of support, generosity and community spirit, with friends, family, colleagues and supporters rallying behind her from Cork to Canada and beyond.
Every euro raised will help Aid Cancer Treatment continue its mission to improve facilities, services, and support for cancer patients in Cork, while also contributing to ongoing cancer research efforts in the region.
Everyone at Aid Cancer Treatment has been deeply moved by Caoimhe’s courage, positivity and determination. They said: “To raise such a huge amount is extraordinary. To do so while carrying such deeply personal meaning makes it even more powerful.”