Volunteers for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF ) will be collecting across Galway next week for Lollipop Day.
On Friday, February 23, and Saturday, February 24, lollipops will be exchanged for cash donations in Galway city centre, Knocknacarra, Terryland, Briarhill and Ballinasloe.
The charity is urging Galwegians who can’t donate cash, to donate online at www.ocf.ie, or organise their own school, club or company fundraiser.
Oesophageal Cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. It is three times more common in men, and symptoms are often dismissed as gastrointestinal complaints, such as heartburn.
In Ireland, 9,000 at-risk patients with Barrett’s Oesophagus, a pre-indicator of potential cancer of the gullet, is being tracked across six hospitals, with pioneer funding from OCF.
The charity is urging Irish pharmaceutical firms to carry better warnings on their antacid packaging.
