Oscar-nominated actor Colin Farrell showed remarkable endurance and compassion as he crossed the finish line of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon hand-in-hand with his longtime friend Emma Fogarty. For the last 2.5 miles, Farrell pushed Fogarty’s wheelchair, a powerful gesture that went beyond the race itself.
The event was a heartfelt effort to raise awareness and funds for DEBRA Ireland, an organization supporting people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). This rare and painful skin condition has affected Fogarty since birth.
Farrell explained on The Late Late Show in Ireland that he intended to push Fogarty one kilometer for each decade of her life, totaling four kilometers. Fogarty, who had just turned 40, is Ireland’s oldest surviving person with the most severe form of EB, often called “butterfly skin” because of its fragility.
“I trust no one more than you to push me that last 4K,” Fogarty told Farrell during the interview, her emotion evident.
Their shared finish sparked cheers and applause, marking more than just miles covered. Most people with Fogarty’s type of EB do not survive past age 35, making her 40th birthday a rare and special milestone.
EB is a relentless genetic skin disorder that weakens the proteins holding skin layers together. This causes blisters, open wounds, and constant pain even from minor contact. Fogarty was born without skin on parts of her body, and today about 80% of her skin is covered in protective bandages.
Farrell described her skin as “80 percent open wound” during an interview with Seth Meyers. Despite her pain, Fogarty remains spirited, often smiling and joking.
Initially, Farrell and Fogarty aimed to raise €400,000 (about \$430,000) for DEBRA Ireland. By the time they finished the marathon on October 27, donations had surpassed \$850,000. DEBRA Ireland said all funds would support vital research, care, and services for people with EB. Their new goal is €1 million.
Farrell, 48, and Fogarty, 40, have been friends for years. Fogarty is a patient ambassador for DEBRA Ireland, and Farrell has long advocated for rare diseases through his Colin Farrell Foundation, named after his son who has Angelman Syndrome.
At the finish line, they laughed and hugged, sharing a moment of triumph. “We’re really close,” Fogarty said. “We have a laugh and really enjoy each other’s company.”
Farrell completed the marathon in just over four hours but slowed down to carefully push Fogarty’s wheelchair during the final stretch, taking care to protect her delicate skin. “It was an honor to do the final 4 kilometers with her,” he said. “I’ll never forget it.”
For Fogarty, the marathon was more than a fundraiser; it was a powerful statement of hope. People with EB often have shortened lifespans, but she celebrated her 40th birthday publicly with one of Ireland’s most beloved actors by her side.
“I didn’t think I’d be here at 40,” she said. “But here I am.”
Colin Farrell’s activism continues to grow alongside his acting career. Through his work with Fogarty and DEBRA Ireland, he has helped bring global attention to epidermolysis bullosa. Together, they have turned their struggle into a movement, showing that even the most painful conditions can inspire hope and change.
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