Colour Dash fun in Phoenix Park

OVER 5,000 participants were blasted with five shades of paint during the Irish Cancer Society’s Colour Dash in Phoenix Park earlier this month.

Sponsored by Aldi, the Colour Dash is a 5km race where colourful paint representing different types of cancer and cancer survivorship are thrown at runners and walkers as they complete the course.

Money raised from the race supports cancer patients on every step of their cancer journey, as well as funding vital cancer research to find better ways of treating and diagnosing cancer.

In Dublin, 10,274 people were diagnosed with cancer over a recent 12 month period, including 736 cases of prostate cancer, 874 cases of breast cancer and 728 lung cancer.

Last year Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses in Dublin delivered 1,089 nights of care to support patients to stay at home during their final days. 

A total of 6,710 journeys were facilitated for patients from Dublin who used the volunteer driver service that transports patients to and from their chemotherapy treatment.

“Colour Dash is a fantastic opportunity for families in Dublin and neighbouring counties to enjoy a fun day out, while helping the 40,000 people in Ireland who will get a cancer diagnosis this year,” said John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society.

The Irish Cancer Society is one of several charities to benefit from Aldi Ireland’s community support programme.

The society was specifically chosen by Aldi staff in a company-wide poll because so many of them knew people affected by cancer and wanted to help.

Through a combination of sponsorship, a staff ‘Bric a Brac’ collection, staff donations, Colour Dash entry fees and sales of Daffodil Day daffodils and charity cards at Aldi’s stores, Aldi and its staff have raised over €175,000 for the Irish Cancer Society since 2016.

“Aldi is very proud to partner with the Irish Cancer Society and support the Colour Dash for a second year running,” said Aldi Ireland’s Group Buying Director, Finbar McCarthy.

Mr McCarthy added:  “It’s a superb event for a cause that is close to the hearts of our customers and staff.”