Two sisters, from Silverbridge who were diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks apart are hosting a very special Halloween event to help give back to the charities who supported them through the “most frightening time” of their lives.
Both aged in their mid-thirties, Aisling Muckian and Áine Mallie were each plunged into their own cancer journeys in the middle of last year.
It all began in May, when Aisling was engaging in her weekly self-care “ritual” of moisturising and tanning when she discovered a lump. But, she says, it wasn’t at all what she had expected.
On May 27, biopsy results returned and the young mum was dealt the gut-wrenching news she had been dreading. She had Grade 3c BRCA2+ Breast Cancer.
Naturally, she had been speaking to her family and friends in the interim, explaining what she had found. Erring on the side of caution, Áine performed her own self check… and also discovered a lump.
Her’s too was later diagnosed as cancerous.
Being in their 30s, Aisling and Áine are not stereotypical breast cancer patients. But, both sisters believe that more needs to be said about the cancer in younger people and that it needs to be taken more seriously by doctors when younger people report finding unusual lumps.
They embarked upon an awareness campaign to ensure other young women recognised the signs and symptoms, encouraging all to perform regular checks.
Now, just a year-and-a-half on, the champions are launching a mighty fundraising journey that they both describe as “incredibly personal to us”.
Describing their efforts, they said: “Last year, just six weeks apart, we were both diagnosed with breast cancer — both in our early 30s and both with young children. What followed was a year we never could have imagined: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by ongoing maintenance medication and hormone blockers.
“Going through cancer as sisters, and as young mums, has been one of the hardest experiences of our lives. But throughout it all, we have also seen the incredible strength, kindness and support of our families, friends and our local community.
“Both Cancer Fund for Children NI and Pretty ‘n’ Pink have supported us personally, as well as so many other people in our community. We have experienced first-hand how much these charities can mean to families when they are going through some of the darkest and most frightening times of their lives.”
And now, they are ready to give something back and, doing that, would genuinely mean the world.
Together they have planned to host a ‘Spookfest’ in honour of Halloween at Silverbridge Football Club on October 31.
An all day event, the sisters plan to hold a coffee morning from 9am to 3pm, a trad music session from 3pm to 6pm and GS2 music night from 6pm to 9pm in the social club.
From 12pm to 3pm, they will also host a family fun day with bouncy castles, character meets, face painting, tuck shop, magic, dancing and pumpkin and costume competitions!
And from 7pm til late, they have planned a fancy dress optional music night with appearances from Odhran Murphy, Mel & Michael and Jordan McPolin. The headline act of the evening will be the sensational Danny Byrne Band!
Tickets are priced at £22.38 with booking fee included and are available via eventbrite here.
One and all will be made whole-heartedly welcome and a special raffle will also be held on the night to secure vital funds for Pretty N Pink and Cancer Fund for Children NI. A donation will also be made to Upper Creggan Lourdes Group.
So far the sisters have already raised over £1,500 via a JustGiving page aside from ticket sales.
If you wish to make a contribution to the Silverbridge Sisters’ fundraiser you can do so here.
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