Annual Sarcoma awareness walk in city cancelled

However this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the walk around the walls, organised by Paul’s Campaign, has had to be cancelled.

Paul’s Campaign was established in 2011 following the death of 27-year-old Paul Coyle who died less than two weeks after he was diagnosed with Sarcoma.

Sarcoma is a cancer of the bone, or soft tissue, and symptoms are lumps, bumps, cysts or swellings which increase in size.

Around 120 people are diagnosed with the rare cancer in Northern Ireland each year.

The annual walk was one of the main fundraising events held by Paul’s Campaign.

Francie Coyle said it would be ‘impossible’ to hold the walk and adhere to social distancing due to the numbers that regularly attend.

“We hope to mark Sarcoma awareness week by getting people to wear yellow and share photos on social media.

“We also aim to paint the Free Derry wall yellow and would invite young people who would like to write a poem or draw a picture to share them with us and it might end up on the wall as well,”he said.

A number of other fundraising events and awareness programmes due to be held by the charity have also been postponed. However, Mr. Coyle said they are continuing to support families in the city affected by Sarcoma.