On the 25th of October I will be undertaking what I have dubbed, Emmet’s Ten Tonne Challenge. I’ll be raising money for the Irish Cancer Society and the Haematology Department of St. Vincent’s Hospital.

The idea is pretty simple, I will lift 10 tonnes during the workout by doing 50 squats, 25 deadlifts and 25 bench press – all at 100kg. If you can, I would appreciate it if you could sponsor me or, do it with me (at a weight that suits you).

Anyone who donates over €50 will automatically be entered into a raffle to win some prizes (signed rugby jerseys/gear etc) details of which will be announced over the next few weeks on the instagram page. Winner of the raffle will be announced after the event.

Now, you may ask; Why am I putting myself through this challenge?

Well, in May I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer originating in white blood cells, and this event will mark my final chemotherapy session.

It’s hard to explain how shocking my diagnosis was to myself and my family. As a 23 year old finishing a Masters and with hopes to be a professional rugby player, my health has always been a huge priority, and it was hard for me to fathom how this could happen to me. But it did.

My symptoms included itchy skin, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. My formal diagnosis was stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - the treatment for which involved 12 rounds of ABVD chemo. This translated to chemo every second Friday for 6 months. Lovely, right?

Although I didn’t end up losing much of my hair (not sure how I managed that one), the side effects of chemo (nausea, lack of energy and brain fog) are pretty terrible.

Remaining positive was harder than I thought, but I was determined to make sure that the cancer didn’t get the better of me. For me, a major part of this was working out and keeping my body moving.

I’ve always felt that exercise can help the mind cope during times of crisis, but I never realised just how much until now. So – that’s why I have created the Ten Tonne Challenge, and why I want you to support me or even do it with me if you’re up for it.

During this journey, I was surprised to hear that Lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer for young people between 15 and 34, with about 150 people diagnosed each year in Ireland. I was also relieved to hear that it is treatable and curable - but I now realise many people my age are not informed about Lymphoma.

So, in doing this challenge, I hope to increase awareness of Lymphoma among young people in Ireland and raise much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society and the Haematology Department at St. Vincent’s Hospital who’ve given me such incredible treatment and support during the past six months.

I really hope you can support me by donating what you can.

I’d also love for anyone who feels up to it to do the workout either at the same time or sometime that day, where ever you are, at home or outside, at whatever weight and pace suits you.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Workout Details:

The overall aim is to do a total 100 repetitions of whatever exercises you are comfortable with e.g. squats, situps, press-ups etc.

Total reps: 100

Exercises: Up to you - I'm doing 50 Squats, 25 Deadlifts, 25 Bench Press.

Weight: Up to you – I’m using 100kg.

ZOOM LINK (12pm 25/10/21) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87406919803

To encourage more people to donate, I’d love you all to please take a post-workout selfie on the day and post it on social media. Please use the hashtag #EmmetsTenTonneChallenge and include this link www.idonate.ie/Emmetstentonnechallenge on the post or in your bio.

Emmet's Ten Tonne Challenge

Created by Emmet Burns

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