'Fills me with huge pride' - popular Kildare Sergeant honoured on World Cancer Day

To mark World Cancer Day, Gardaí in Kildare organised a Living Well Expo which took place at Punchestown Racecourse following the passing of Sergeant Rachel Murdiff. 

Rachel Murdiff was a Garda Sergeant based at Clane Garda Station and passed away from cancer last November. 

Sergeant Tracy O'Connor said that the idea behind the event came from a conversation she had between gardaí at Naas Garda Station.

"We had just come from a funeral of a colleague who had died from cancer.....we were looking for an idea to celebrate her life and to remember her," Sgt O'Connor said.

"I came up with the idea that it might be nice to do it on World Cancer day which is the 4th of February and the idea is to raise awareness around cancer and to try and support all of our colleagues that are living with cancer or affected by cancer," O'Connor added.

Former Garda Gary Cogan was at the event and introduced himself as Rachel Murdiff's widower. 

He said: "I'm here today, it's tough in many ways but it also fills me with huge pride to see Rachel's colleagues mark her memory in such a practical way that's going to support other members, their families and their colleagues going forward."

Organisations such as The Marie Keating Foundation, Jack and Jill, The Irish Cancer Society, The Irish Hospice Foundation and Barretstown were all present at the event.

The CEO of Barretstown, Dee Ahearn said: "When Superintendent Oliver Henry said he was organising the event I felt very strongly that Barretstown needed to be involved....every year we serve thousands of families and all of those families....have a sick child."

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The day, from 10am to 4pm, included exhibitions, panel discussions and advice on organisational supports for Garda personnel or relatives affected by cancer.

External health promotion, cancer prevention, clinical, therapeutic, financial and other support agencies were also in attendance to offer guidance and advice.

A Facebook user commented, "An amazing day. Full of thought, insight information, love and most of all awareness of what help is out there for people who are dealing with an illness that effects so so many wonderful people both inside and outside of An Garda Siochana. Get checked out by your doctor as early diagnosis can save your life."