Carlow town to go green for cancer awareness

CARLOW is set to join a worldwide movement that aims to raise awareness of a rare and aggressive cancer that is often diagnosed too late.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is bile duct cancer, often diagnosed too late because symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions; therefore, recognising the signs early could save a life.

World CCA Day takes place on Thursday 20 February, where prominent buildings or landmarks all over the world, including many in Ireland, will be lit up green to raise awareness of the disease.

Carlow will also turn green in support, spearheaded locally by Michelle Wilkinson, who many know as owner of the former Bake Café on Tullow Street.

Sadly, Michelle’s brother Kieran Dunne from Bansha, Co Tipperary died from CCA last September. The 49-year-old father of three was a fit and active man, making his sudden passing just six months after diagnosis particularly tragic.

“There is very little information out there about Cholangiocarcinoma and we want to change that,” said Michelle.

“We hope that by lighting up landmark buildings and sites, people in Carlow and all over the country will learn more and it will encourage greater awareness,” she added.

Carlow Town Hall Plaza, Hanover Park and all the uplighting dotted around trees throughout Carlow town will turn green in support on 20 February.

Kieran’s wife, Michelle’s sister-in-law Karen, founded the support group Cholangiocarcinoma Support Ireland, to provide comprehensive support for CCA patients and caregivers, promote public and medical awareness, advocate for better care and facilitate research into treatments and cures in Ireland.

“When Kieran was diagnosed, we really struggled to find any information, there was no specialist in Ireland so we spent a lot of time researching and joining support groups in the USA and Britain to try to find out more,” Karen told **The Nationalist*.

“I did a call out on the groups to see if there was anyone else in Ireland with it and James Hastings came forward, so myself and James and two other people, who have family members with cholangiocarcinoma, took the decision to form an Irish foundation,” said Karen.

“We didn’t want anyone else to go through the months of research we had to do.” The group has a website and Facebook page, where lots of information and support is available.

Some of the signs and symptoms of CCA include jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and weakness, abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side, constant tiredness or feeling unwell, dark urine and pale stools, itchy skin, loss of appetite and digestive issues.

“There are 200 people-plus every day diagnosed in Ireland, so we have been working with an oncologist and talking to the Irish Cancer Society. We really want to raise awareness because it is such an aggressive cancer, early detection is key,” said Karen.

“Kieran had very few symptoms, just swollen ankles and abdomen, five days later we were told he had stage four bile duct cancer and unfortunately it had spread to the liver so they were very limited in what they could do,” added Karen.

“We were getting ready to go to the States for treatment, but Kieran wasn’t well enough.” In the lead-up to World CCA Day, the group is also sharing important facts, personal stories and ways you can get involved to help shine a light on cholangiocarcinoma.

Go to the website at www.cholangiocarcinomaireland.ie or check out their Facebook Page Cholangiocarcinoma Ireland.