Cardinal welcomes launch of new cancer fund

Cardinal Keith O'Brien has welcomed the launch of a new fund which will
support women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy.

The Andrea Kearney Fund has been established in memory of Andrea Kearney who died earlier this year following a cancer diagnosis at the beginning of 2007 when she was 38 weeks pregnant with her fifth child.

Andrea was 41 when she died following 16 months of treatment in May 2008,
her husband Peter Kearney is Director of the Catholic Media Office.

Commenting on the launch of the fund, Cardinal O'Brien said, "I am delighted to support the Andrea Kearney Fund and hope that in the years to come it can offer support to women facing the difficult challenge of coping with a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy.

"Andrea was a remarkable woman of great faith who inspired many people. Her strength throughout her illness was an example to us all.

"Through this fund established in her name I'm sure she will continue to
inspire as she did in life."

Peter Kearney welcomed the Cardinal's comments, "I am very grateful to Cardinal O'Brien for endorsing the Andrea Kearney Fund and hope his support and the support of many others will help to make our inaugural fundraising event a success."

An evening of music and entertainment to raise funds to support women and their families following a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Glasgow on Sunday 9 November.

Among those performing and supporting the event will be the co-founder of the fund, my brother Tony Kearney, star of the BBC's "River City", as well as Ricky Ross & Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue, the actor & broadcaster Johnny Beattie and singer and songwriter Lou Hickey.