FATHER-OF-THREE Seamus Cotter was once given 18 months to live.
Ennis father-of-three Seamus Cotter helped launch the Marie Keating Foundation’s Gold Medal-winning show garden at Bord Bia Bloom in Dublin’s Phoenix Park last week as he marks a remarkable milestone – 10 years since being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and told he had around 18 months to live.
The Empowering at Every Step garden, sponsored by AstraZeneca and Gilead Sciences Ireland and designed by Robert Moore, highlights cancer prevention, screening, early detection, treatment and survivorship.
Through a series of immersive spaces, the garden encourages visitors to prioritise their health while sharing the stories of people affected by cancer across Ireland.
For Seamus, the garden’s message is deeply personal.
He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2016 after a series of unexplained blood clots and swollen glands led to further investigations.
“The diagnosis came completely out of the blue. When I asked about the prognosis, I was told it was usually around 18 months. At that point, your whole world changes.”
Following his diagnosis, Seamus was accepted onto a pioneering immunotherapy clinical trial.
Despite experiencing serious complications during treatment, including meningitis and Addison’s Disease, he responded exceptionally well. By April 2017, scans showed there was no longer any measurable disease detected.
Today, almost a decade later, Seamus is cancer-free, enjoys an active lifestyle and continues to advocate for lung cancer patients across Ireland.
“Ten years ago I never imagined I would be here at Bloom today. Advances in treatment, clinical trials and the care I received have given me more time with my family and opportunities I never thought I’d have.”
Marie Keating Foundation CEO Liz Yeates said the garden is designed to empower people with practical information and encourage them to take positive steps for their health.
“We were thrilled to be back at Bord Bia Bloom. It was such a wonderful event and an important opportunity to encourage people to pause and reflect on their own health. This garden is about empowering people with practical information and encouraging them to take action when it comes to their health. Whether that’s attending a screening appointment, recognising symptoms early or making small lifestyle changes, every step matters. We’re delighted to be working with garden designer Robert Moore, whose thoughtful design reflects the experiences and journeys of people affected by cancer across Ireland. We want people leaving this garden feeling informed, supported and encouraged to prioritise their health.”
The award-winning garden will now move to a permanent home at Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre in Kilkenny, where it will continue to provide a place of reflection, support and awareness for visitors.
