A local cancer charity is appealing to people to help support its vital work by contributing €12 a month.
By becoming a “Friend of Cancer Care West” you can help those caring for people affected by a cancer diagnosis. One in three people are likely to get some form of cancer by the age of 74.
Richard Flaherty, the chief executive of Cancer Care West, says although we are in difficult financial times, he is urging people to commit a “small amount” every month to help it sustain its services.
“Cancer Care West wants to maintain the friendship and positive impact we have made on the people in the west of Ireland. We can only do this with your help and support.”
At the recent launch of its cancer support centre at Seamus Quirke Road President Mary McAleese highlighted the significance of the charity’s work.
“Good care can bring such an uplift into our lives, it can make the difference between enduring life and enjoying life.” she said.
Cancer Care West provides support and care in the form of residential facilities and other support services for people in the west.
Inis Aoibhinn, its 30-bed residential facility located on the grounds of University Hospital Galway, offers a “home from home” environment for patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment who would otherwise have to travel long distances for their daily treatment. The centre provides information and a range of psychological and emotional supports including relaxation classes and complementary therapies. These services are free and cater for people from Donegal to Limerick and from Galway to North Tipperary.
The Cancer Support Centre at 72 Seamus Quirke Road is a community-driven initiative which responds directly to the needs of people affected by cancer. A wide range of services are offered. A five-day week drop-in service is available whereby people can call in without an appointment. Individual appointments are available for clinical and psychological counselling, information on benefits and entitlements, reflexology and massage and breast care fitting services. A variety of courses are offered on topics including stress management, living with cancer, mindfulness, expressive art and expressive writing.
The support centre is staffed full-time by clinical and counselling psychologists and a team of oncology nurses who offer a full range of information on all aspects of a cancer diagnosis.
For further information on all of the services provided by Cancer Care West, including outreach initiatives in Clifden, Roscommon town and Ballinasloe, log onto www.cancercarewest.ie or telephone the Cancer Support Centre at (091 ) 540040 or Cancer Care West directly at (091 ) 545000.
