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Irish businessman Will Mullin takes on one of the world’s toughest challenges – the Marathon des Sables (a 257km run– five and a half marathons over six days), which the Discovery Channel has dubbed ‘the toughest footrace on earth’. Starting on April 10th, this year is also the longest in the race’s 31 year history.

The 35-year-old father of two will run in the gruelling and searing heat of the Sahara Desert. Midday temperatures in the Sahara can get up to 48 degrees Celsius and the night-time temperature can be as cold as four degrees. All he will be given is water, which is rationed and given out at checkpoints and tent space in which to sleep. The race rules mean Will must remain self-sufficient, and carry his own equipment – medical kit, spare clothes, sleeping bag, food and the all-important road book to prevent him getting lost.

Will said: “In order to prepare for the race – I have run eight marathons since Christmas, two over the hills of the Curragh in freezing temperatures below zero degrees in the middle of the night. This is to become accustomed to running when the body doesn’t want to, as well as adjusting to running that type of mileage back to back to replicate the week in the desert.
Will is completing this tough challenge for a cause close to his heart – raising €20,000 for Biobank Ireland which is a charity promoting a biobanking network of cancerous tissues in Ireland that aims to bridge cancer research and care. It also aims to bring a better understanding of cancer which will mean improved treatments.

There is a special reason for raising these much needed funds. His Mum and Dad are both cancer survivors – one of the reasons his Dad beat cancer was because of the drugs developed through biobanking. Now Will wants to give something back, and help other families with this life saving, invaluable and much needed research.

He added: “My dad survived because of the great work carried out by Biobank Ireland. My family is lucky and I want others to experience that feeling. Biobank need all the funding they can get to ensure that they can continue to fast-track cancer research to better diagnosis and treatment of patients.”

You can sponsor Will on his Biobank fundraising page and get the latest updates from Will on his his FaceBook page.

Want to know more about the gruelling Marathon Des Sables? Have a look at the movie and video promo

‘Irish dad set to take on the world’s toughest race’ – Will Mullin featured in The Journal.ie

Save the date – on April 2nd Will Mullin will host a BioBank MDS fundraiser before he sets off on his most gruelling challenge yet. Will is competing in Marathon Des Sables, the toughest footrace on earth – a gruelling 257km six marathon, six-day challenge in 30 – 50-degree heat in the Sahara Desert with his clothes, food and sleeping gear on his back.

Join Will for a music and fun filled evening, with BYO wine and great Asian food. Tickets are limited to 80 seats so make sure to confirm your booking in advance – see the event page for more details.

Will is competing to raise awareness and much needed funds for BioBank Ireland. BioBank Ireland freezes and provides cancer tissue samples to the extensive research in the area. In turn this aids the development of new less toxic treatments that ultimately block further cancer growth. His family has benefitted enormously from the work BioBank do and Will wants to raise much needed funds and awareness.

If you are unable to come on the night but would still like to contribute to BioBank Ireland – please visit his fundraising page to make a donation.

What is the toughest obstacle you have ever overcome? For Will Mullin his toughest challenge has been inspired by a cause that is very close to his heart. This April, Will is taking on The Marathon des Sables- a race that the Discovery Channel has dubbed ‘ the toughest footrace on earth’.

The 35 year old father of 2 will run 251 km – the equivalent of five and a half marathons in six days, in the Sahara’s gripping heat. All he will be given is water and space in a tent to sleep in. The race rules mean Will must be self sufficient, and carry his own equipment and food. He will also need room for dedication, drive and sheer determination.

So why is Will taking on the toughest race on earth- in temperatures varying from a chilling 4 degrees to a burning 48 degrees?

Will is completing this tough challenge in order to raise €20,000 for Biobank Ireland. Biobank Ireland is a charity promoting a biobanking network in Ireland that aims to bridge cancer research & care. Biobank Ireland aims to bring a better understanding of cancer which will mean improved treatments.

Will has a special reason for raising these much needed funds. His Mum and Dad are cancer survivors – one of the reasons his Dad beat cancer was because of the drugs that were developed through biobanking. Now Will wants to give something back, and help other families with this life saving, invaluable and much needed research.

While you are not being asked to overcome the sandy Sahara, the unbearable thirst or run more than 50 kilometers a day, you can donate to this cause. In supporting Will and Biobank Ireland you will be fast-tracking cancer research for improved diagnosis and treatment. Doesn’t that sound like an amazing investment? You can sponsor Will here and follow this amazing journey on his Facebook page.

Biobank Ireland announced on Jan 7th at the BBMRI / Insight conference in University College Cork that we would donate a grant to support a part-time biobank scientist for their biobank, which is part of the cancer biobank network. This will enable them to finally start biobanking and leverage further support.

* Minister Varadkar was asked by Finian McGrath TD if he will support Biobank Trust Ireland (sic) in 2015-2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

I acknowledge the benefits that would accrue from a national biobanking infrastructure. In 2012 the Health Research Group adopted a National Plan for Biobanking. An action “to take steps to establish a national biobanking system and support infrastructure by 2016” was subsequently included in the Action Plan for Jobs.

The Health Research Board, which is funded by my Department, has led work on the biobanking initiative with the relevant agencies and is progressing the initiative. It would, therefore, be appropriate for Biobank Trust Ireland to engage with the HRB on the matter.

See link to RTE news coverage of the “Biobank Ireland – Now We Are 10” meeting in September 2014.

www.rte.ie/news/2014/0911/642907-biobank/

The web portal will be a catalogue of samples available for approved academic and industry researchers. The portal will provide restricted data only with no identifying patient details.

This meeting on 15th October 2015 had representatives of Biobank Ireland, our portal developer partner SuprTecBox, and 2 biopharma companies in attendance. It provided practical information and insight into the variable sample needs of companies and how samples might be accessed for projects. Follow-up with other companies is ongoing.

The requirements of academic researchers are being assessed separately, and we also plan to consult with patient groups.