Doherty family to take on Dublin Marathon in support of sister Sandra

It’s the news every family dreads - a cancer diagnosis.
For the Doherty (Shivey) family from Fahan, that fear became reality last August when their sister, Sandra Friel, who lives in Killea, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since then Sandra, a mother of four, has undergone extensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Letterkenny and Altnagelvin hospitals.
At the same time, she and her husband Vincent have had to move their family out of their mica-affected home, which is due to be demolished in the coming weeks.
Despite all of this, her family say Sandra has faced every challenge with a smile on her face - and now, they are lacing up their runners to support her.
On Sunday, October 26, Sandra’s siblings will line out in the Dublin Marathon to raise funds for National Breast Cancer Research Ireland. Taking on the 26.2-mile challenge will be her sisters Jackie Craig and Chloe Doherty, her brother Paul Doherty, Jackie's son Shane Craig, and Shane’s friend Niall McDevitt.
Jackie explained how the idea came about. “Sandra’s diagnosis hit the whole family hard. We were in shock. The family decided to do the fundraiser to give back and help breast cancer research. I roped the others into it - a marathon is a big thing for Chloe and Shane and Niall to take on.”

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While Chloe, Shane and Niall are marathon first-timers, Jackie and Paul have plenty of experience. Jackie, who lives in Buncrana with her husband Carl and children, has been chasing down the Six World Marathon Majors - Berlin, London, New York, Boston, Chicago and Tokyo. She is due to run the Chicago Marathon on October 12 before tackling Dublin just a fortnight later.
“I’ve never done anything like it back to back - I hope my legs can stand it,” Jackie laughed. “We’re all getting on OK, clocking up the training miles and, so far at least, no injuries and I hope that continues.”
Her brother Paul, who has lived in San Francisco for more than 20 years, is also no stranger to endurance sport. In September, just weeks before Dublin, he will compete in the Iron Man World Championship in Nice - a gruelling test that combines a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and a full marathon run.
Jackie says training has been going well across the group. “Everyone is building up towards it before tapering down in the weeks beforehand. No injuries, thankfully.”
Known among her family as a running footwear aficionado, Jackie admits she has more runners than high heels in her wardrobe.
“I’ve about five pairs of runners on rotation at the minute,” she laughs. “It’s an expensive hobby!”
But the inspiration for the family’s fundraising is clear.
“Sandra’s a real trooper,” Jackie says of her big sister. “She was diagnosed last August and has been through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and surgery. She’ll need targeted therapy for the next couple of years.
“On top of all that, they have mica, and have had to move the family out of their home. Their house is due to be knocked down soon.”
Jackie says Sandra has remained positive despite the enormous health and mica challenges.
“She has faced it all with a smile on her face, and she’s an inspiration to us all. We are getting strength from her, and she says that we give her strength with what we’re doing.”
The family are also acutely aware of the toll the mica crisis has added.
“It’s tough. I can see the toll the demolition is putting on them, stripping out their home and trying to sell off bits and pieces, trying to decide what to keep and what to put in storage.
“But Sandra’s treatment has gone well. She has some side effects, but she’s determined to get her house back up again. She has a big 50th birthday looming too, so she’s determined to celebrate that. She’s full of positivity and all about seizing the day.”
Jackie says choosing to raised funds for the National Breast Cancer Research Ireland organised was a no-brainer.
“We chose the charity to try to help and contribute. It’s hard to know what to do, but there are so many women and families going through what our family is going through. If you can put a bit of money towards research and treatment, hopefully in due course treatments will improve.”
For Jackie, Chloe, Paul, Shane and Niall, every mile clocked up in training brings them closer to Dublin - and every step will be in support of Sandra, who continues to inspire them with her courage and positivity.

Donations can be made online through Eventmaster or directly to any family member.