Marie Keating Foundation

The Marie Keating Foundation is an Irish foundation focused on raising the awareness of cancer, and the importance of early detection.[1] The charity was founded in 2001 by Ronan Keating and his relatives, and is one of the biggest cancer charities in Ireland following the Irish Cancer Society.

Marie Keating Foundation
The current logo, in use since 2001
Named afterMarie Keating, a woman who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1998 as it wasn’t detected early enough
FormationMay 4, 2001 (2001-05-04)
FounderRonan Keating and family
Registration no.342695
PurposeTo raise awareness towards cancer
HeadquartersMillbank Business Park
Location
Coordinates53°21′42.502″N 6°26′35.952″W
  • Therese Rochford
  • Michael O’Reilly
  • Edel Creely
  • Gary Keating
  • Ron Grainger
Key people
Websitemariekeating.ie

Relying solely on fundraising and donations for operations, the charity holds campaigns and events regularly.[2][3] Initially focussing on breast cancer, the charity organisation has expanded in recent years to cancer information, awareness and support for all forms of cancer.[4][5]

History and present day

Marie's battle with cancer and death

In 1994 Keating experienced breast pain and her doctor diagnosed her with mastitis, providing her with a prescription for antibiotics and telling her to come back if the pain persisted. As she was a sufferer of nosocomephobia, she didn't go back to the doctors even though she was in pain. She discovered a breast lump, and her doctor immediately sent her to Beaumont Hospital in the north of Dublin city for a biopsy where she was told that it was cancer even before tests were run. Over a year and a half later, on September 25, 1996 (1996-09-25), Marie was diagnosed with Paget's disease of the breast which developed into breast cancer as it was not detected early enough. Although this was a shock to both her and her family, she underwent a full mastectomy the following month and began chemotherapy treatment. A year later, in September 1997, she was told that the cancer had gone but, because she rarely did her exercises, she developed lymphedema in her legs, and in the following month, she began to experience back pain and returned to hospital. An MRI scan revealed that she had cancer along her spinal cord so she began radiotherapy which she had completed in January 1998. On February 2, 1998 (1998-02-02), Keating died after losing her battle with breast cancer which had spread to various parts of her body, aged 51.[6]

Marie Keating Foundation

After her death, the charity was founded in memory of her by her son, Ronan, her husband Gerry, and other children in 1998 initially giving advice and support to those battling breast cancer. As it grew, it expanded to cancer information, awareness and support for all forms of cancer. It was registered on May 4, 2001 (2001-05-04).[7]

References
  1. "The sun and stars shine in Gwent on the first day of the annual Celtic Manor golf Celebrity Cup". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  2. "Ronan Keating's bra campaign gives cancer charity a lift - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
  3. "Morah Ryan and Bressie turn on the festive cheer for Marie Keating lunch - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
  4. "Why You Can Trust Us - Marie Keating Foundation". Marie Keating Foundation. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  5. "We need to get men talking and looking after their physical and mental health | JOE.ie". JOE.ie. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
  6. "Marie Keating's Story - Marie Keating Foundation". Marie Keating Foundation. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  7. "Marie Keating Foundation - Irish Company Info - SoloCheck". www.solocheck.ie. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
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