Spark
- stories to ignite body, mind & soul
Bríd O’Connor’s cancer diagnosis came 15 months after her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In addition, two of her siblings tested positive for the BRCA gene, suddenly this tight knit family were faced with grief and challenges that is unimaginable to most people.
Bríd’s mother was a basketballer and coach and a phrase she regularly used to ignite the passion and drive in a team was to “turn and face it.” This phrase always stayed with Bríd and no more so than when the family grieved the death of her mother, Bríd had lost her greatest champion.
As a history teacher Bríd fully appreciates the value of reflecting upon key events and milestones throughout the ages and how we can all learn from times past. During her own cancer journey, the poem “Invictus” became Bríd’s lighthouse, where she would turn to time and time again for a form of safe harbour. It was famously featured by Nelson Mandela in his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom,” as he found solace and hope in those words during his incarceration on Robben Island.
But now Bríd turned her mind to the recent history, prompted by the loss of her mother and her own journey through cancer, she wanted to find stories that others can find comfort in, find thought provoking or a story that will give you hope in your lowest hour.
During this time Bríd shared she had lost her “spark” and that it took time for it to re-emerge, but when she found it again, she knew she could help others with her story. This became her core curiosity as she asked others “when did you realise your spark had dimmed and what contributed to it?”
“Spark” the book, is a beautiful collection of these conversations, with many familiar faces and others you will come to know. Featuring Billy Keane, Louise Galvin, and Don O’Neill amongst others. The incredible contributors to “Spark” share stories of grief, serious-illness, life altering events and challenges. Each contributor discloses what resets them, and the book is filled with messages of hope.
Proceeds from the book will go to Comfort for Chemo, Kerry, who are fundraising for €5 million to build a centre of excellence for the patients of Kerry. Due to increasing demand for chemotherapy treatments in Kerry, the unit in University Hospital Kerry is no longer fit for purpose and lacks sufficient space and facilities to ensure patients can continue to receive their chemotherapy in the hospital.
As a service user of UHK during her own cancer treatment, Bríd shares the medical, nursing and support staff are incredible, but the setting is unsuitable and there is an immediate requirement for a stand-alone chemotherapy unit in University Hospital Kerry that would provide much needed comfort and dignity to cancer patients.
“Spark” is in Eason’s Killarney & Listowel, O’ Mahonys Booksellers Tralee and Crystal cave in Killorglin and on sparkbodymindandsoul.com “Spark” is kindly sponsored by Lee Strand and Independent Irish Health Foods and is designed by Eamon Mulvihill, Redbox Branding.
Bríd O’Connor’s cancer diagnosis came 15 months after her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In addition, two of her siblings tested positive for the BRCA gene, suddenly this tight knit family were faced with grief and challenges that is unimaginable to most people.
Bríd’s mother was a basketballer and coach and a phrase she regularly used to ignite the passion and drive in a team was to “turn and face it.” This phrase always stayed with Bríd and no more so than when the family grieved the death of her mother, Bríd had lost her greatest champion.
As a history teacher Bríd fully appreciates the value of reflecting upon key events and milestones throughout the ages and how we can all learn from times past. During her own cancer journey, the poem “Invictus” became Bríd’s lighthouse, where she would turn to time and time again for a form of safe harbour. It was famously featured by Nelson Mandela in his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom,” as he found solace and hope in those words during his incarceration on Robben Island.
But now Bríd turned her mind to the recent history, prompted by the loss of her mother and her own journey through cancer, she wanted to find stories that others can find comfort in, find thought provoking or a story that will give you hope in your lowest hour.
During this time Bríd shared she had lost her “spark” and that it took time for it to re-emerge, but when she found it again, she knew she could help others with her story. This became her core curiosity as she asked others “when did you realise your spark had dimmed and what contributed to it?”
“Spark” the book, is a beautiful collection of these conversations, with many familiar faces and others you will come to know. Featuring Billy Keane, Louise Galvin, and Don O’Neill amongst others. The incredible contributors to “Spark” share stories of grief, serious-illness, life altering events and challenges. Each contributor discloses what resets them, and the book is filled with messages of hope.
Proceeds from the book will go to Comfort for Chemo, Kerry, who are fundraising for €5 million to build a centre of excellence for the patients of Kerry. Due to increasing demand for chemotherapy treatments in Kerry, the unit in University Hospital Kerry is no longer fit for purpose and lacks sufficient space and facilities to ensure patients can continue to receive their chemotherapy in the hospital.
As a service user of UHK during her own cancer treatment, Bríd shares the medical, nursing and support staff are incredible, but the setting is unsuitable and there is an immediate requirement for a stand-alone chemotherapy unit in University Hospital Kerry that would provide much needed comfort and dignity to cancer patients.
“Spark” is in Eason’s Killarney & Listowel, O’ Mahonys Booksellers Tralee and Crystal cave in Killorglin and on sparkbodymindandsoul.com “Spark” is kindly sponsored by Lee Strand and Independent Irish Health Foods and is designed by Eamon Mulvihill, Redbox Branding.
