Athlone woman’s skydive in aid of breast cancer research rescheduled

An Athlone woman’s skydive in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

TOP: Fiona Healy (centre) pictured with Teodora Dimova, Finance Director, and Paudi Reidy, CEO of Lightning Services International.

Fiona Healy, a Baylin resident, was scheduled to take to the skies on October 4, but the 13,000ft drop has now been slated for November 8.

In March of last year, Fiona was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer, one standard and one more aggressive form which had spread to her lymph nodes. Having gone through a gruelling treatment plan including a double mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation, she felt she had an opportunity to raise vital funds to support other patients on the same journey.

“I feel it’s time for me to give a little back, and help another person on their journey,” Fiona said. “Prior to my diagnoses, I never would have considered a skydive, so this will be a huge challenge for me to undertake. If people can donate as little as €1, it will greatly help the cause and support individuals and families affected by this disease."

A mother of four and an inspection co-ordinator with Lighting Protection International, Fiona has exceeded her initial goal of €2000, and the GoFundMe page for the event currently stands at over €5000 with fundraising efforts still ongoing.

“Every family in Ireland has been affected by cancer in some way or another and to have a vital member of the team tackle her diagnosis head on and come out the other side and show such resilience throughout her journey has been a lesson for us all,” said Paudi Reidy, CEO of Lightning Protection International, which is backing the cause as part of its “Giving back to the Community” initiative. “We are extremely proud of her,” he added.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent in advance of the initial date for the skydive, Fiona laughed “I am either brave or mad!” Taking place in Birr Airfield, she admitted to getting “more nervous” as the date approached. “I went on the zip line in Castlecomer Discovery Park a couple of weeks ago and my legs were like jelly, so I don’t know how I’ll cope with a skydive,” she joked.

She also said that while the cancer diagnosis was a shock, she had “no other option but to face it, I couldn’t run away from it, and I had to stay strong for both myself and my family.”

Having paid for her own skydive, all proceeds raised by Fiona will go directly to Breast Cancer Ireland for further research into all types of breast cancer.

Donations for the worthy cause are still being accepted at: https://ie.gofundme.com/f/skydive-for-breast-cancer-ireland