Cliona’s Foundation & Irish Cancer Society Confirmed As Charity Partners

4th October 2018 By The Editor

Ian Keatley, Conor Murray and Keith Earls joined Cliona’s Foundations Co-Founders Brendan and Terry Ring and the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nurse Eily Mullane to launch the partnership at Munster’s training base at the University of Limerick.

Munster Rugby are pleased to announce that Cliona’s Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society have been selected as the club’s nominated charities for the 2018/19 season.

Over the season Munster Rugby will work closely with each charity, actively supporting them in helping raise awareness and funds for much-needed resources that are widely availed of across the province and Ireland.

The mission for Cliona’s Foundation is to provide financial assistance for all families struggling to care for children with a life-limiting condition. Based in Limerick, the charity has provided assistance to families all across the country.

The Irish Cancer Society, with services in place across the province, has grown into the national charity for cancer care, the leading provider of all information relating to cancer prevention, detection, treatment and support.

Both charities joined Munster and Ireland players Conor Murray, Keith Earls and Ian Keatley at the University of Limerick training base this week to launch the new partnership.

“We are privileged and excited to have been selected as a Charity Partner for the 2018/2019 season,” said Brendan Ring, Co-Founder of Cliona’s Foundation.

“The Munster Rugby brand and family of backroom team, players and supporters is very special and unique and, on a personal level, an experience we have enjoyed for many years. Being an extended part of this family with a worldwide profile and support is a huge honour for Cliona’s Foundation. We are looking forward to working with Munster Rugby on raising awareness of the hidden financial struggles families of sick children endure and how Cliona’s Foundation supports them.

“Our hope is that this increased profile and awareness will result in much-needed funds being generated to enable us to continue provide this service.”

Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said: “The Irish Cancer Society is delighted to be chosen as Munster Rugby’s charity partner for 2018/2019. Over 40,000 people get a cancer diagnosis in Ireland annually and as an independent charity we rely almost entirely on donations to provide vital services to ensure no one faces cancer alone.

“This includes crucial care like the Night Nursing service, which enables cancer patients at the end of life to be cared for at home. Partnering with Munster Rugby will help us raise further awareness about the funding needed for our services and lifesaving cancer research, so that we can find better ways to diagnose and treat cancer, so that more people survive this disease.

“The support will help us to promote cancer prevention initiatives in the community, empowering members of the public to reduce their own risk of cancer. We look forward to working with Munster Rugby on behalf of all those affected by cancer. Together, we won’t give up until cancer does.”

Commenting on the announcement Claire Cooke, Munster Rugby Corporate Social Responsibility Manager said: “We are very much looking forward to working with Cliona’s Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society for the season ahead.

“The process to select the charities was as challenging as ever with so many worthy causes looking for our support. We hope to make a real difference for Cliona’s Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society and are delighted to be partnering with them.”