Luke McCarthy of Killybegs is preparing to take on the Galway Bay Marathon, not just as a personal fitness goal, but as a heartfelt tribute to his father, Joe, who is fighting a rare and devastating neurological illness: Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).
For 25-year-old Luke, the marathon on October 5th is more than a physical challenge—it’s a mission to raise awareness and funds for CBD and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), two conditions supported by PSPA Ireland. As reported by Donegal Daily, is inspiration is his father, a respected house painter and Liverpool football fan, whose health has declined rapidly since first developing Parkinson’s-like symptoms four years ago. Joe’s journey has been marked by increasing difficulties: from mobility issues to losing his ability to speak, and now being largely confined to bed and requiring constant care.
The McCarthy family’s world changed dramatically as Joe’s diagnosis became clearer. CBD, which has no known cause or cure, has robbed Joe of his independence and his voice, making communication with his family—and sharing football discussions—a heartbreaking loss. Joe, originally from Kilworth, has lived in Killybegs for over 25 years with his wife Anna, a local teacher, and raised Luke and his sister Ciara in the close-knit Donegal community.
Luke’s decision to run his first marathon is a testament to the family’s resilience. “We were raised to make something positive of every obstacle that comes in life,” Luke shared. Faced with the helplessness of his dad’s illness, he saw the marathon as “something I could fight for,” hoping to not only honor his father but also to inspire others in similar situations. The campaign has already raised over €12,000, reflecting the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the wider community.
Luke aspires for the event to be a catalyst, encouraging people to talk about CBD and PSP, and find strength in connecting with others facing the same challenges. “My hope is to get the ball rolling for people to connect and chat to each other about these diseases. To connect with other people dealing with this would be huge,” he said.
Looking beyond the marathon, Luke hopes to volunteer with PSPA Ireland and continue raising awareness. “I want to do anything I can to make him proud,” he said, emphasizing that this effort is just the beginning of his advocacy.
As the marathon approaches, the “Run For Joe” campaign stands as a symbol of hope, love, and the power of community action in the face of rare disease.
Donations can be made at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/JoeMcCarthy.
