Hammering home the real value of cancer support

THE SOCIAL NETWORK:Miriam O'Callaghan was the MC at the inaugural fundraising lunch and auction for the Arc Cancer Support charity at the Four Seasons hotel in Ballsbridge yesterday. A suite in the support centre in Eccles Street is named after her sister, the late Anne O'Callaghan, who died of cancer.

Arc is the brainchild of Prof Des Carney, and was founded by the former army press officer George Kirwan, Barbara Cosgrave and the former Fine Gael TD Monica Barnes.

The model Alison Canavan was accompanied by her mother, Margaret. Alison’s father died of cancer, and Margaret found the centre a great support.

The former editor of The Irish Times, Conor Brady, was accompanied by his wife, Ann, who is a survivor of cancer.

The event’s organiser, Mairead Mangan, was accompanied by her sister Kate Ronan, who is the wife of businessman Louis Ronan. Items which went under the hammer included a boxing glove signed by Katie Taylor and a Manchester United jersey signed by the 2012 team.