There is no grief greater than the loss of a child.
Last November, Redcliffe couple Una and Eamonn Shealy lost their three-year-old daughter Órla to a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, metastatic pleuropulmonary blastoma, after a brave seven-month battle.
Yet through the grief of loss, the Shealy family have been inspired to help others in her memory. The Run for Órla Family Fun Day on Sunday, 15 November at Scarborough Beach Park will be a celebration of Órla’s life and a way to support other families who find their lives impacted by childhood cancer.
Supporting Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer Through Camp Quality
Una said the event would be, in many ways, her way of continuing to be Órla’s Mam.
“I cannot give my little girl more days,” Una said. “I cannot change what happened to her, and I cannot bring her back to us. But I can make sure the days she did have continue to matter.
“I can try to turn some of the enormous love I will always have for Órla into something that helps another child and another family.”
The community event will include a 10km timed run/walk and 3km family fun run and walk, along with live entertainment, a petting zoo, face painting, games and family activities. Race entry fees will raise funds for Camp Quality, a charity supporting children and families impacted by childhood cancer. The 10km run starts at 6.30am and the 3km family run starts at 8am, followed by the family fun day until 12pm.
Una said that during some of the darkest hours of their lives, Camp Quality had given them something they desperately needed – moments of laughter, normality and precious time together as a family.
“That is why Run For Órla means so much to me,” she said.
“Every registration, every donation, every share and every step taken in Órla’s name helps us keep her beautiful little light shining while helping other children and families facing childhood cancer.”
Run For Órla was launched at a special event in August with support from local Sunrise Runners, Moreton Bay Irish Running Club, Kerri-Anne Dooley MP, Camp Quality, The Man Walk and the Redcliffe Dolphins NRL, together with Paw Patrol characters representing Órla’s much-loved favourite show.
Donate or register here or search Run For Órla on Facebook.
Run for Órla
- Sunday, 15 November
- Scarborough Beach Park
- Landsborough Avenue, Scarborough
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