Cancer survivor says ‘get the walking shoes on’ for JFK 50 Mile Challenge

The Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge, which asks participants to walk up to 50 miles in 20 hours or less, on a route through Meath, Cavan and Westmeath, will take place on June 6,. Now in its 15th year, the annual fundraising and endurance event has raised €1.5 million for cancer patients and their families.

Liz O’Reilly, cancer survivor, 46, from Virginia, County Cavan, has participated in the Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge for the last 11 years.

Just nine months after her mother passed away from a brain tumour, Liz was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell carcinoma tongue cancer in January 2025. A mother of three, Liz had the option to pursue treatment or have surgery to remove the tumour. She had surgery three weeks later at St James’s Hospital in Dublin.

Last year, she cheered on participants in the walk; this year she is looking forward to walking and raising funds for cancer charities.

“This is an important event to raise money for cancer patients and for cancer care, like the amazing care that I received,” Liz said.

“There is hope and there is so much help out there, so much good we can do.

“Even if you only walk a mile or all 50 miles, or if you raise €50, or €1,000, the walk is giving people a better chance at life when they’re diagnosed with cancer. Get the walking shoes on, get out and walk.

“You meet so many lovely people, everyone is carrying their own weight, their own stories, whether it’s for themselves or a loved one. It’s a challenge. It’s an amazing feeling of achievement to cross the finish line.”

Sarah Valliere, community fundraiser for Leinster North, Irish Cancer Society, says: “Every three minutes someone in Ireland hears those lifechanging words ‘you’ve got cancer’. It’s predicted that 1 in 2 of us will hear that news in our lifetime.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate and there isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t felt the devastating impact of the disease.

“This community fundraising event, the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge, raises vital funds for critical services for cancer patients and their families. It is a challenge to walk or run up to 50 miles, but it’s open for anyone and any level, all are welcome.”

To learn more about the challenge or to get involved visit 50milechallenge.com.

Registration for the walk is free, though a minimum of €50 is required to sponsor each participant.

Anyone with questions or concerns about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email Supportline@irishcancer.ie.