Kilcullen members help Big C Choir give back

Pic: Dessie Boland.

When the Big C Choir performed in Keadeen Hotel recently there was a strong Kilcullen interest, writes Brian Byrne. The Choir has six Kilcullen members, and they're very proud to be involved in what was just one woman's idea a few short years ago.

"It's like being a member of a big family," says Sabina Reddy, a cancer survivor who became involved after the Choir was formed. "We are all there to support each other, both those who have been through cancer directly or the family members and friends whose lives have been affected by cancer."

Sabina also notes the satisfaction of being able to do something that gives back to various cancer support services.

Pat Kelly, another Kilcullen cancer survivor who with his brother John have been well-known local musicians since they were children, is also a member. "Being in the Choir has helped me and many others involved to 'get out there' again," he says. "We also performed live for the RTE Mass on a Sunday in February and that was a really great experience."

Along with Sabina and Pat, John Kelly also performs with the Choir, as do locals Mary Touhy, Francie O'Brien and gifted young Kilcullen harpist Leah O'Sullivan.

Pic: Dessie Boland.

A recent presentation of cheques to Newbridge Cancer Support Group (€7,000) and to the Jack and Jill Foundation (€3,000) was the latest chapter of the Big C Choir story. A story which began in 2009 when founder Christina O'Connell from Caragh was told she had breast cancer. (That full story is told on the Kilcullen page in this week's Kildare Nationalist.)

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