Charleville castle and tullamore library lit up gold for cancer campaign

Both Charleville Castle and Tullamore library are lit up gold, in support of a September campaign by the new group Childhood Cancer Foundation.

‘Light it Up Gold’ takes place all this month - childhood cancer awareness month. The campaign was launched by Dublin Lord Mayor Christy Burke with an ice bucket challenge in the Mansion House. The Mansion House, meanwhile, is also lit up gold during this month to raise awareness of childhood cancer and shine a light on the bravery of children dealing with it.

Other buildings being lit up around the country include Malin Head coast guard station in Donegal, St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, Dublin’s Convention Centre, Belfast City Hall and the Spanish Arch in Galway. The movement, which is a worldwide one, also sees international landmarks like Niagara Falls and Times Square lit up.

Mary Claire Rennick of Childhood Cancer Foundation said she wants to make sure everyone is aware of childhood cancer. “My own daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia in February 2013 and prior to that I was completely unaware of childhood cancer,” she explained.

“Now I want to ensure that everyone is aware. Increased awareness will improve early detection and increase understanding among policy makers and communities which will hopefully reduce the isolation of families going through childhood cancer treatment and side effects.”

Over 200 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Ireland. To give €4 to the work of the Childhood Cancer Foundation all you have to do is text ‘Gold’ to 50300. More information on the group, along with other fundraising activities, can be found by visiting www.childhoodcancer.ie. More information on the Light It Up Gold campaign can be found at www.facebook.com/lightitupgold.