Scale Slievenamon for cancer research
For nearly a decade, Noreen Daly, alongside her family and a dedicated community of supporters, has raised vital funds for pancreatic cancer research in memory of her late husband, Teddy Daly, who passed away from the disease on April 19, 2016.
The fundraising journey began in 2017 with the first Teddy Daly Memorial Climb, when Noreen and also 500 supporters climbed Slievenamon in County Tipperary to honour Teddy’s memory and raise funds for pancreatic cancer research in UCC in Cork. What began as a heartfelt tribute has grown into a powerful annual event that brings people together to remember loved ones and support life-saving research.
Over the past nine years, the climb and related fundraising events have raised more than €190,000 for pancreatic cancer research, and huge advances have been made since then.
The funds raised have supported the work of Breakthrough Cancer Research, helping scientists aiming to develop new approaches to diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer - one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat. While progress has been made in recent years, survival rates remain low, with a five-year survival rate of just 14%.
Reflecting on the early days of the initiative, Noreen Daly said: “Even though I was in the throes of grief, I still believed there was something I could do for others. Climbing the mountain was the only thing I felt I could do for Breakthrough Cancer Research. I always hoped the funds we raised would help researchers find more successful treatment options and it’s incredible to see the huge increase in pancreatic research and treatment options since then.”
Noreen is now encouraging members of the public to join this year’s Teddy Daly Memorial Climb, which will take place on Slievenamon Mountain, Co Tipperary on Sunday, April 19. Participants can also join virtually from their own location.
All funds raised will support pancreatic cancer research, including Breakthrough’s newly launched All-Ireland Cancer Research Network (AllCaN) pancreatic cancer research programme, which aims to bring researchers together across the island of Ireland to improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with the disease.
The 2026 event will mark the 10th anniversary of the fundraising initiative and will also be the final official fundraiser organised in Teddy’s memory, bringing the community together once more to celebrate ten years of generosity, remembrance and hope.
As participants gather for the final climb in April, Noreen along with family & friends hope the event will be a fitting tribute to Teddy’s memory and leave a lasting legacy in helping others survive pancreatic cancer.
HOW TO REGISTER
To register to join the Teddy Daly Memorial Climb 2026 for pancreatic cancer research go to:
https://breakthroughcancerresearch.ie/product/tdmc2026/