A charity founded by the friends and family of a Tuam woman who’d battled so bravely against cancer have honoured her memory in the best way possible – by raising over €40,000 towards researching cures for the form of the disease that killed her just before her 42nd birthday.

Charlotte’s Vision, named after Tuam woman Charlotte Sweeney, was only set up last October, in partnership with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute is raising money for research into Metastatic Breast Cancer.

And in the six months since, it has raised €42,000 – primarily through a hugely successful New Year’s Eve Ball, but also through ongoing donations.

Charlotte Sweeney died on December 16 2021, after her metastatic breast cancer spread to her liver.

Her family and friends launched a new fundraising drive to fund research that they hope will give a longer life to other women with the disease.

Charlotte was passionate about science and a graduate of NUI Galway and the University of Coleraine – and despite her illness, she continually researched the latest treatments and looked into how best she could complement treatment she was undergoing be it with yoga, mindfulness and her diet.

Her mum Virgie admitted that they family are still coming to terms with the loss of Charlotte.

But she added: “doing something positive in her name, knowing we could be helping other families is refreshing.

“We want to say thank everyone for their very kind support since her passing and since setting up Charlotte’s Vision. Charlotte impacted so many lives when she was alive and even in her death, she is still helping people.”

Charlotte’s Vision chairperson Caroline Downey said that her friends just want to continue Charlotte’s fight in trying to find ways of curing ‘this awful disease’.

“Currently one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, some breasts cancers are curable however if you are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer or Stage 4 the survival rate is so low, it is not good at all. “Research is key to fight this disease and we will continue to fight to save lives,” she said.

And Charlotte’s legacy is already paying dividends, according to Professor Micheal Kerin, Project Director at the Lamb Institute.

“We have research on patients with Stage 4 disease which is strongly supported now by Charlotte’s Vision and will hopefully create novel strategies for treating this group with advanced disease,” he said.

“We are also concentrating and supporting the development of a fit for purpose comprehensive cancer centre on the grounds of the University Hospital which will allow us expand our research programme in the Cancer Centre,” he added.

Charlotte’s Vision committee are asking that you consider their charity when you are undertaking your next run, walk, cycle or swim joining ‘Char’s Tribe’ in their ongoing fundraising campaigns.

The next event is the VHI Mini Marathon; if you are interested in being part of Team Charlotte’s Vision contact Caroline on 087 4482070 or email charlottesvision22@gmail.com.