Blake’s Bar in Letterkenny swapped its usual soundtrack for big beats on Saturday night as top DJs Rebūke and Patrick Topping took over the courtyard for a major cancer fundraiser.
The rare dance event was organised by Letterkenny native Mike Toner in support of the Irish Cancer Society after his sister Louise was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, which spread to her bones and spine.
As the first tunes began to thump through the bar, Mike described the night as a “beacon of hope” for families affected by cancer.
The fundraiser has already surpassed €26,000 in online donations before the night was over, with even more expected from in-person collections at the gig.
Patrick Topping and Rebūke behind the decks at the packed Blake’s Bar fundraiser in Letterkenny.
“The level of support we’ve had has just blown our minds,” said Mike, a Melbourne-based music touring agent and founder of Thick as Thieves.
Mike represents British artist Patrick Topping and Letterkenny-born DJ and producer Rebūke, also known as Reuben Keeney, on their Australian touring and has raised millions through charity initiatives there.
Mike and Reuben had spoken for years about organising something special at home.
So when Mike’s 50th birthday came around this week, it became the perfect opportunity for a pop-up party.
The gig attracted massive demand as soon as word got out, with around 3,000 people seeking one of just 250 available places.
Donegal DJ Modeā and Belfast producer 666CMG opened the night, before Rebūke and Patrick Topping took to the decks, filling the intimate space with a back-to-back set including their new collaborative track, ‘People Dancing’.
The polished production featured cameras, photographers and drones capturing the unforgettable occasion from every angle. Among those enjoying the night was Dublin rapper Casper Walsh.
Patrick Topping and Letterkenny-born Rebūke during the one-off cancer fundraiser at Blake’s Bar.
At the centre of it all was Louise, a married 45-year-old mother-of-three, who spoke openly about the impact cancer research has had on her life.
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Louise was diagnosed nine months ago and at that time, she needed two crutches, a back brace and a wheelchair.
Targeted treatment and physiotherapy through palliative care have changed her life dramatically.
She now takes one tablet a day and has returned to the gym, yoga and many of the activities she enjoyed before her illness.
“Stage four is actually a stage of treatment,” is Louise’s message to others.
“You have treatment options. It’s not terminal.
“You hear stage four and you just think it’s endgame, whereas in actual fact, there’s a lot of treatment options. And that is literally down to the cancer research over the years.”
Louise, a highly regarded professional in Donegal’s childcare and education sectors, said receiving a cancer diagnosis could feel as though “a bomb goes off” in a person’s life.
However, medical research funded through charities such as the Irish Cancer Society gives families hope.
Louise said she hopes to continue “living in active treatment”, with further options available to her.
“If something changes, we move to plan B, plan C, plan D,” she said.
“It’s not what it was back in the day.”
Mike and Louise’s family has seen first-hand how far cancer treatment has come. Their father was diagnosed with lung cancer 34 years ago and died just five months later.
“Cancer’s not the end game,” said Louise.
“There’s so much that has been done.
“We really, really need to keep the cancer research message going, keep that fundraising going and everyone keep digging deep.”
International dance stars Patrick Topping and Rebūke pictured at the special pop-up gig in Blake’s.
Mike and Louise thanked everyone who donated, attended the event or sent messages of support, as well as Blake’s Bar for the memorable night.
The online fundraising page remains open for anyone who would still like to contribute here: https://fundraise.cancer.ie/fundraisers/httpswwwinstagramcommiketoner
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