Irish siblings Joe Enright and Mary Enright are running an ultramarathon to raise money for cervical cancer research after Joe's wife Rachel died of cervical cancer in 2023.
Irish siblings Mary Enright and Joe Enright have launched a GoFundMe as they prepare to run a 100-mile ultramarathon to fundraise for CureCervicalCancer, a non-profit whose mission is the early testing, detection, and prevention of cervical cancer.
Mary, who now lives in New York City, says she and her brother Joe will be traveling to Outer Mongolia this year to run the 100-mile "Rat Race" ultramarathon across a frozen lake to raise funds for what they call a "critical women's health campaign."
The Irish siblings are undertaking the huge challenge after Joe's wife Rachel sadly passed away from cervical cancer last year.
"We are running for a cause, running for a cure, and running for those who can't," Mary says.
Rachel Enright passed away in March 2023, aged 40, after a brave battle with cervical cancer.
Mary is originally from Co Limerick but moved to Co Clare when she was a child and moved to NYC in 2017. Joe, meanwhile, is "also living the immigrant life" - he settled in England after meeting Rachel there and falling "head over heels," Mary says.
Joe and Rachel had been together for 20 years before Rachel's death last year.
Joe Enright, Joe's wife Rachel, and Mary Enright.
"The tragedy of losing Rachel is difficult to process," Mary wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Rachel had been part of Joe’s and the Enright family's lives for over 20 years.
"Our family, Rachel’s family, and her friends are devastated and heartbroken."
The Enright clan.
The siblings launched their GoFundMe at the start of January, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. They are about about halfway to their goal of $5,000.
According to CureCervicalCancer, over half a million women acquire cervical cancer annually, and more than 300,000 women die from cervical cancer each year.
However, the non-profit says "cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable with early detection and treatment."
Mary writes that every donation made to the GoFundMe "will go to increasing cervical cancer testing and detection services for women around the globe."
She added: "Every step on our journey will be a tribute to Rachel and all the funds raised on this GoFundMe page will go directly to CureCervicalCancer.
"Your support can make a real difference. Together, we can make a lasting impact in the fight against cervical cancer.
"If you can't make a donation, please consider sharing this page with others. Educating women on the need for proper cervical cancer screening is a key part of raising awareness and helping stop needless deaths.
"Together we can make a lasting impact in the fight against cervical cancer."
Mary and Joe thanked their donors in advance for their contributions and for "helping women all over the world live healthier, safer lives."