Malin to Mizen fundraising cycle to honour little C.J.'s memory

CJ McCann, from Ballaghaderreen, was just 21-months-old when he lost his battle with ATRT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor) — a rare and aggressive brain cancer — in October last year.

Now, his father Joe and 20 other enthusiastic volunteers will take on a gruelling Malin Head to Mizen Head cycle to raise money for two of the charities, Hand-in-Hand and Oscar’s Kids, who supported the McCann family during their childhood cancer journey.

Speaking at the launch of CJ’s Rainbow Charity Cycle at Strandhill last week CJ’s father, who is a well-known Roscommon handball player, explained the rationale behind the fundraising cycle.

“I decided during our time on St John’s (the national paediatric oncology ward), that I would fundraise for some of the charities that helped and supported us during one of the toughest times of our lives,” he said.

“I wanted to do something that was a real challenge, so I chose Malin Head to Mizen Head, as Mizen to Malin has a perceived advantage as the prevailing winds are generally behind you.

“The way I saw it, CJ didn’t get the advantage of prevailing winds on his journey and he lived every day with a smile on his face.”

Along with most of the group, Joe is not a cyclist.

The 21-strong team will strive to complete the 630km cycle in just four days, a huge undertaking for an amateur cycling group, beginning at the most northerly point on August 22 and concluding on August 26 at Mizen Head.

CJ’s Rainbow Charity Cycle is all about raising funds for two amazing charities that have helped the entire McCann family enormously over the past 18 months, while also remembering the bravery and strength of CJ.

The family hope to shine a light on the challenges of childhood cancer for families.

“We ambitiously hope to raise €100,000 to help these two charities to support other families who are trying to cope and juggle life,” Joe said.

Roscommon is well represented on the cycle with Rogue and Co owner Rikki O’Gara, who partnered Joe at the 2006 World Handball Championships; well known Ballaghaderreen man Brian Tansey, a life-time family friend; and Loughglynn’s Keith Johnston, a proud Éire Óg man and CJ’s godfather, all in training for the four-day challenge.

Hand-in-Hand is a national childhood cancer charity, based in Loughrea, which supports families all over Ireland, helping them to cope with the impact of treatment on family life.

This support can include counselling, play therapy for children and/or their siblings, complementary therapies, hot meals, laundry, and domestic cleaning.

For the McCann family, this has included play therapy for CJ’s sisters Róisín, aged eight, and Clódagh, aged six, which is immensely beneficial to them in coping with CJ’s initial diagnosis, treatment and ultimately the loss of their little brother.

“Play therapy has been an absolute gift for the girls since CJ’s diagnosis,” Joe said.

“From a very early stage, Niamh and I understood that we would be spending a lot of time away from the two girls when they were being minded by other family members.

“It’s so hard, when you have a sick child, to devote equal time and priority to everyone.

“At a time when we were unable to support the girls emotional needs, play therapy with Hand-in-Hand reassured us that there was someone supporting and watching out for our girls.

“People don’t often think about the impact on siblings in these situations, because sickness and worry is all-consuming for those involved.

“Play therapy has been an essential part of our family unit coping with the loss of CJ.”

The second charity to benefit from the fundraising cycle is Oscar’s Kids, which supports families coping with a child’s terminal cancer diagnosis.

The charity aims to create moments of magic during the toughest of times.

Their support enabled the McCann family to plan CJ’s Magical Christmas last September, the only Christmas spent with CJ at home.

Oscar’s Kids encourages families to choose fun, adventure, magic, dreams, and memories in the time that the family has left with their precious child. Their approach is to outweigh the hardship and pain with fun, laughter and love.

Reflecting on the special Christmas with CJ, Joe said: “When Niamh suggested Christmas on September 24, I honestly thought it was the craziest idea in the world.

“However, those incredible memories will be treasured forever — the magic it brought to all of our families lives, and the way CJ enjoyed it so much, will never be forgotten.

“There are no words to describe those few days — our entire extended family have stories about how incredibly kind and supportive people are.

“Leading up to Christmas Day, there were times we were all shocked, as a family, by the generosity, support and help of family, friends, and strangers — it was simply the best gift.

“Memories were created together as a family that will be cherished forever.”

There are three months of heavy training ahead for the cyclists, who hail from all corners of the land, to get their miles in and prepare for this mammoth task.

Each and every one of them will dedicate this cycle to CJ, the children who are currently battling cancer, and the families who have children who have left this world.

Acknowledging the challenge of childhood cancer, CJ’s father admitted that it is one of the toughest and most intense experiences any parent could go through.

“It’s exceptionally difficult on parents and families. All you want to do is protect your family the best way you can and, when it comes to cancer, the easy road is not an option” he said.

“The treatment is so harsh on children, and parents on St John’s go through some really trying and testing days in the hope of overcoming the disease.

“It’s not easy to see the rainbow when you are dealing with treatments in a hospital, but the incredible kids and parents in St Johns inspire me every single day.

“Those children — they are complete heroes to me. What they endure, how they keep smiling, it’s just incredible.

“I was oblivious to this greatness until I saw it for myself, in my son and in other kids around us.”

The McCann family now aim to help to support these heroes, and their families, through the proceeds raised by CJ’s Rainbow Charity Cycle.

An iDonate page has been set up at www.idonate.ie/event/cjsrainbow, which will run from now until after the cyclists touch down in Mizen Head on August 26th, with 630km clocked up on their bikes!