Naas Piper Hill students busy cycling 5,000km raising funds for former teacher battling cancer for third time

Naas students are busy fundraising for a former teacher who is battling cancer for the third time. Once the students at Piper's Hill College realised that a Go Fund Me campaign is taking place for Regina Duffy, they quickly embarked on a major fundraising initiative. Currently, Regina is being treated in New York, so the students came up with the idea of showing their support for Regina by cycling the 5,000km to New York. They managed to clock up the 5,000km by staying in Naas. The cycle was organised over four days in school and at Tesco Monread on the final day. Regina got married in March 2018, and last Christmas, when the new broke that she has cancer for the third time,  had to go to New York for treatment which she can't get in Ireland. Regina’s cancer is rare and difficult to treat. The most promising chance of a successful outcome was to seek care abroad, which is what has brought her to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. They are the world leaders in the treatment of her type of cancer and are currently engaged in the research and development of new therapies. Her sister Sian Devine said: "For most newly-weds, Christmas is yet another joyous occasion in an already blissful year. There’s so much to look forward to –spending time with family and friends; looking through photo albums that attest to the fantastic highs of the previous months and making plans for the New Year." She said: "Regina was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Once treatment was finished, we were hopeful that she could move on from this challenging time in her life. Sadly this was not to be!In 2014 her cancer was back in the form of a brain tumour. Once again she made it through treatment and bounced back to her former glory! Two year later, in 2016, she and all the family were dealt a severe blow with the death of her beloved mother Julia. Regina had relied so much on the unwavering support of her mum as she too had fought her own breast cancer battle. When 2017 dawned and Regina was busy planning her wedding to Jason, it seemed like her life had finally taken a turn for the better. Their wedding in March 2018 was a wonderful occasion. Regina’s latest diagnosis coming so soon after it seems so unfathomably cruel." A spokesperson for Piper's Hill College said: "Students committed to the campaign by fundraising for their sponsored cycle. There was no shortage of volunteers to cycle even after school and during their lunch breaks, demonstrating the true spirit of Piper’s Hill College. A big congratulations to the students and staff for all their hard work and incredible goodwill in helping Regina. An amazing €15,697 has been raised to date."   [caption id="attachment_264797" align="alignleft" width="300"] Regina Duffy battling cancer for the third time.[/caption]               [caption id="attachment_274719" align="alignleft" width="300"] Amy Clarke, Holly Palmer, Mark Nolan, Isabel Quinn and Anna Scott.[/caption]                                   Cian Harris and Jessica Kilduff at Table Quiz.   [caption id="attachment_274730" align="alignleft" width="300"] Piper Hill cyclists[/caption]                   [caption id="attachment_274734" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cycling for Regina Duffy fund[/caption]