Finola's Solas run after cancer journey
Finola Lea was diagnosed with cancer in late 2023.
Excitement is building for the annual Solas Cancer Support Centre's Run and Walk for Life in Waterford City and Dungarvan.
Every year the run raises thousands of Euro for Solas, which enables them to provide invaluable services to people affected by cancer.
Solas offers services, including counselling, art therapy, group counselling, bereavement services and much more, to people from all over the South East region.
Tracy McDaid, Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre, emphasised the importance of the yearly run, especially as demand for the centre grows.
She said: “The Run and Walk for Life is the most action-packed and exciting weekend of the year for the Solas Cancer Support Centre. The Run and Walk for Life is our main fundraiser annually and funds are needed now more than ever.
"This year, we’ve seen a 25% increase in demand for our services. Some of those services include complementary therapy, counselling, life coaching, acupuncture, wellness classes, support group and information sessions."
Last year, the run raised over €190,000 for Solas.
One person taking part this year kindly shared her experience with the centre, and how it helped her when she was at her most vulnerable.
Finola Lea, a mum of two teenage sons, was diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago, in October 2023.
She told the Waterford News and Star: "I am taking part in the event for many reasons, foremost, that I am alive and able to take part!"
She is also running to raise money and awareness for the centre.
"The Solas Cancer Support Centre is so aptly named, it means light in Irish, and I know for me, and many people it certainly is the light at the end of what can be a dark and lonely tunnel."
For Finola, getting the news of her diagnosis was a terrifying shock, not only for her, but also for her young sons.
She said: "The words ‘you have cancer’ still bring tears to my eyes. It’s nearly a year ago now, Halloween actually. I’ve always hated Halloween. My first thought was for my boys, I’m divorced, and their father isn’t in their lives, so my worry was that they would be alone.
"I prayed I would live long enough for my eldest to reach 18, so he could be my younger son's legal guardian.
"I started six weeks of gruelling chemo and radiotherapy on December 18, 2023. No mulled wine for me last Christmas!"
In the midst of the shock, Finola recalled a co-worker speaking about the Solas centre.
She said: "I’d known about the Solas Cancer Support Centre. I remember a colleague who attends saying to me ‘hopefully you won’t ever have to go there’. However, after my diagnosis, it was the first place I went, and gosh I am so glad I did! It is a haven of warmth, compassion, understanding, hope, encouragement and peace."
At the centre, she was able to find support and understanding.
She explained: "I’ve been having reflexology, and I look forward to it so much, then I sit and enjoy a coffee looking out into the garden.
"It’s my time to process all that has happened to me, physically and mentally, over the last year."
Happily, Finola is now in remission and is recovering her strength both physically and mentally.
She said: "Thankfully the treatment worked, and I am now in remission, but I continue to attend Solas and will start counselling soon.
"I wasn’t ready for it before now.
"For many people, the Solas Cancer Support Centre is their life, their support, and their refuge. I hope they get the support they truly deserve, and I cannot thank them enough for all that they do.”
The Run and Walk for Life will be held in Dungarvan on Saturday, October 12, and Waterford City on Sunday, October 13. A new 4K family run and walk has also been added to both Waterford and Dungarvan to encourage families to take part in tandem with the 10K routes.
