At 18 years of age, Marc Owens faces challenges and choices visited upon few so young. In September 2010, just as he was about to embark on his final year at Belvedere College S.J., Dublin, Marc was diagnosed with a Stage IV soft tissue sarcoma: a particularly aggressive and rare form of cancer, of which there are less than 200 known cases worldwide. In a matter of days, this fun loving, sports mad, happy-go-lucky boy had become a cancer patient with dismal prospects.
Marc’s primary care has been undertaken by Professor Desmond Carney and his team in the Mater Hospital. In December 2010, he was referred to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the only place in the world where he could receive the life saving treatment he requires. In February 2011, Marc underwent a 20 hour operation to remove more than 400 tumours from his body. In the months since then, there have been many complications, set backs and challenges; despite this, Marc is doing remarkably well. His determination to overcome his illness has been inspiring and he has shown a steely determination to fulfill the promise he so defiantly carries within him. He is currently studying for a business degree at Dublin City University.
The Marc Owens Medical Fund was set up in April 2011 with a target of raising €1 million to help pay for Marc's on going and very expensive medical treatment. So far we have raised €450,000: a stunning achievement in such a short time. Heartfelt and warm thanks to all who have supported us in so many different ways. A special thanks to those in the sporting world, both fans and players who supported and promoted our cause so enthusiastically over the last year. You have been the linchpin of our fundraising success.
Click icon to view video of some of the key moments in Marc's ground breaking and successful medical treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Care Clinic in Houston Texas and his trip home.
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News
Congratulation to all our riders on a fantastic achievement in less than ideal weather conditions!
48 volunteers rode a tandem bike in a continuous 24 hour cycle around Stephen’s Green from lunch time on Thursday the 26th of April until lunchtime the following day. It has been our most novel fund raising strategy yet and raised over €65,000. Riders who took part included Ray Darcy and Matt Cooper, former Irish Rugby Internationals, Ollie Campbell and Frankie Sheahan as well as Dublin’s Lord Mayor.
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The Fashion Shows are over. Spring has sprung. It's time for the outdoors
We are seeking volunteers to ride a tandem in a continuous 24 hour cycle around Stephens Green starting at lunch time on Thursday the 26th of April. It's our most novel fund raising strategy yet.
The idea is to get 24 pairs of riders to cycle our tandem in relays for an hour each at a safe pace, obeying all road safety rules and traffic signals. We are setting a sponsorship target of €1,000 for each participant. Already signed up to help us keep our tandem wheeling around the Green are Ray Darcy and Matt Cooper of Today FM and former Irish rugby international, Ollie Campbell. If you want to be part of this unique day in a life cycle for Marc, email us at marcowensmedicalfund@gmail.com
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The Battle of the Bean Counters
The lines have been drawn. The contenders have been chosen and all is ready for the final showdown. The eight young bean counters who have made it through to Chartered Accountants Ireland's music competition are: Mathew Kelly, Aaron Doherty, Luke Byrne, Paul Clerkin, Eoghan Huston, The Shade, Kandy Kate and Campbell &The Lip Ticklers. The Battle of the Bean Counters takes place on Friday 2nd March in the Sugar Club on Leeson St. MC for the night is Brian Ormond. Supporters are welcome. Tickets cost €15. All proceeds go to the Marc Owens Medical Fund.
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Miriam O'Callaghan was our very special guest MC for the sell out September Fashion Show in Belvedere College which raised over €28,000 for our Fund
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A Blast from the Past
The Coolmine RFC black tie Prom night on Sat, the 3rd of March is sold out. The Ball takes place at the Carlton Hotel in Tyrellstown with music by the eighties tribute band, Spring Break. An enjoyable night is in store. Thank you to the Club for deciding to make the Marc Owens Medical Fund a beneficiary of the funds raised.
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Sweets go down a treat with Rugby Fans
Many thanks to our enthusiastic team of volunteers who sold our packets of sweets to fans on their way to the two home rugby internationals in the past few weeks. Their work netted our cause over 4,000 euros so far. We will be selling our sweets again on the 10th of March when the Scottish come to Dublin.
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Students at Loreto College, Stephen's Green support Marc. Loreto has raised over €30,000 for the Marc Owens Medical Fund.
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Belvedere College SJ Ladies Annual Lunch
Our deep gratitude to the Ladies Committee who will donate the proceeds of this year's lunch to our Fund. Always a great success, the lunch takes place in the Shelbourne Hotel on Wed, the 18th of April at 12 pm. There will be a preview the Spring-Summer collection from Alila Boutique and a raffle with some amazing prizes. Tickets cost €55. Contact Mary Barry at 086 3832919 or marytbarry@yahoo.com
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Participants in last year's Dublin Mini Marathon who ran for Marc
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It was the Ultimate Night Out......
Not for the first time since our campaign began, we at the Marc Owens Fund were truly humbled by the extraordinary generosity and selflessness of those who organised and supported the Fashion Event held at The Grand Hotel in Malahide on the 26th of Jan. This enormously successful event was the brainchild of Christine Turner: inspired by Marc's story, she gathered together a dynamic team of "supermums" to plan this most enjoyable evening, raising in excess of 37,000 euros for the Fund. Heartfelt thanks to all who attended and gave so generously. Christine Turner and her team have done a tremendous service to our cause.
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UCD Fashion Show
Fashionistas at UCD also rallied to our cause at the annual College Fashion Event which took place in the O'Reilly Hall in Belfield on the 21st and 22nd of Feb. As always, the Show was a huge success and we are grateful to Shaunna Dwyer, Jason Masterson and their team for making the Marc Owens Medical Fund the designated charity of this high profile occasion.
Members of the Junior Past Pupils Union who organised last year's Panda Cup Tag Rugby Day in support of Marc.
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