News Pioneering Irish breast surgeon set to swap ‘surgical scrubs for cycling shorts

15^th May 2024: Renowned for his expertise within the operating theatre, Professor Arnie Hill, Professor of Surgery at Beaumont Hospital, and Chairman of Breast Cancer Ireland is now gearing up to conquer a different kind of challenge – a gruelling 670km cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head over the June bank holiday, as part of the Nissan Mizen to Malin fundraising cycle organized by Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club in Stillorgan, Dublin.

Setting aside his surgical scrubs momentarily, Prof Hill aims to pedal through several western counties, not just pushing him to his physical limits, but also raising critical funds for Breast Cancer Ireland’s ongoing pioneering research programmes. With each kilometre conquered, he will be cycling for the countless lives that could potentially be saved through advancements in research and treatment.

However, he certainly won’t be alone on this journey, as almost 75 hardy male and female members of Kilmacud Crokes will also hit the (long!) road over the June Bank Holiday (Wednesday 29^th May – 2nd June) to complete the cycling challenge alongside Prof Hill, raising funds for both Breast Cancer Ireland and the Kilmacud Crokes Development Fund.

This is the sixth time this challenge has been undertaken by the club and the numbers of eager participants continues to grow, with an incredible €636k having been raised over the course of the last five events.

The cycle is set to commence from Mizen Head, West Cork, on the morning of Wednesday 29^th May after the group travels down by bus from Dublin. It will wind its way up the West Coast of the country, arriving at Malin Head on Sunday 2^nd June, from where the undoubtedly weary group will stay overnight, having a well-earned last night in Donegal, and travel back to Dublin by bus on bank holiday Monday 3^rd June.

Prof Arnie Hill who is Professor of Surgery, RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences and Beaumont Hospital, spoke about his upcoming participation in the event, saying “Events such as this are a hugely important source of funding for Ireland’s leading breast cancer charity - tasked with changing the landscape of breast cancer treatment into the future. Kilmacud Crokes have been sterling supporters of the work that Breast Cancer Ireland does, for many years now, for which we are incredibly grateful. This year, for the first time, I’ve decided to swap my scrubs for cycling shorts and undertake the not insignificant 670k from one end of the country to the other, to join in the challenge, and hopefully help raise funds for world class research into this disease, new treatments and personalized therapies. I’ve done sections of the route previously – but not the full route, so am hoping for some good weather – and more importantly the stamina to make it to the finish line!”

Chairperson of the event fundraising committee this year, Linda Tormley added “The 2024 Mizen to Malin Cycle Challenge is the next step in building on the previous success of this partnership between BCI, Kilmacud Crokes and Nissan.  We are absolutely delighted to have Prof Hill take on the full route with us this year. We’re hugely impressed that one of Ireland’s leading breast surgeons is undertaking a challenge of this scale, complete with the gruelling training required, to cycle alongside our KC cyclists every inch of the way, and to help us fundraise as much as we possibly can for this great cause. Here’s hoping for some good weather, safe cycling and great fun along the way”

Seamus Morgan, Managing Director of Nissan Ireland, which has sponsored the event since its inception, added “We’re once again delighted to be the main sponsor of this bi-annual cycling challenge supporting Breast Cancer Ireland and Kilmacud Crokes Development Fund. By rallying together to raise funds, we're not just pedalling kilometres, but also driving progress towards a future free from the grip of this disease that impacts one in seven women across Ireland. Every donation fuels hope, every cyclist embodies determination, and together, we're helping to accelerate the pace of change in the fight against this disease”

Georgie Crawford, a former patient of Prof Hill and a breast cancer survivor herself, commented “As a proud Breast Cancer Ireland ambassador, Prof Arnie Hill has had a huge impact on my life and the lives of thousands of people across the country. Through his incredible work and fundraising efforts with Breast Cancer Ireland, their mission is to speed up research discovery output for better and more positive treatment options for patients. I’ll be cheering on Prof Hill and his teammates all the way as they make the journey from Mizen to Malin Head this June. I’m so grateful to Prof Hill for saving my life and by supporting this challenge together, we can help save many more. Please join me in raising vital funds for this very worthy cause. 

Each participating cyclist covers their own hotel, accommodation and food costs, giving of their own time and also raises a minimum of 1300 euro. Nissan Ireland have once again sponsored the cycling gear for the cyclists. To support simply Text “Cure” to 50300 to donate €4.00 to Breast Cancer Ireland, visit www.breastcancerireland.com or make a donation directly to Prof Hill’s fundraising page at https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/AH54612563

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For further information, or for print or radio interviews with any of the following regarding the M2M challenge, please contact Nicky Crichton, Crichton Communications, 086 6085454 or email nickycrichton01@gmail.com

-          Prof Arnie Hill, Chairman, Breast Cancer Ireland, and Professor of Surgery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Beaumont Hospital

-          Ms. Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland

-          Mr Paul Gallagher, M2M event co-founder having lost his wife Marie to breast cancer

Mizen to Malin Cycle Route in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland:

Wednesday 29^th May: Commence cycle at Mizen Head to Killarney (120km)

Thursday 30^th May: Killarney to Oranmore (190km)

Friday 31^st May: Oranmore to Sligo (145km)

Sat 1^st June: Sligo to Letterkenny (110km)

Sunday 2^nd June: Letterkenny to Malin Head (80km)

Monday 3^rd June: Return to Dublin by bus