Tag Archives: Cancer Care West

CANCER Care West launched its 2021 annual report recently, which showed that during that year the majority of its 8,000 consultations were conducted remotely. The charity moved to a hybrid service model during the pandemic, and it found that once the initial challenges with technology were overcome, both patients and service providers became comfortable with the format, and the remote services were very successful and highly appreciated. The charity’s 33-bedroom residential facility, Inis Aoibhinn, for patients undergoing radiotherapy at Galway University Hospital (GUH) also continued to run to capacity in 2021 with nearly 7,000 bed nights provided to cancer patients by the organisation. As well as its ongoing day-to-day activity the charity also developed and delivered two key projects during 2021. The first, named Children United in Bereavement Support (CUBS), is an eight-week online bereavement support group developed for children aged between 7-12 years, whose parent has died from cancer within the last 3-18 months. CUBS was developed by its …

TWO local cancer charities have benefited from an epic cycle undertaken recently by members of a Clare cycling club. On the last Saturday in August, members of Riverside Cycling Club Ennistymon undertook the huge challenge of cycling from their home town all the way to Croagh Patrick in Westport, Co Mayo. As if the total distance of around 175km wasn’t enough, the group then went on to climb Croagh Patrick in the same day. All this was in aid of some very worthy local cancer care charities – Cancer Care West, and Sláinte an Chláir, that have greatly helped some of the club’s past and present members. One member in particular had a very important and relative story to tell to highlight his appreciation for both organisations with his recent health scare in 2020. Tony Shannon spoke very candidly in advance of the event on Clare FM about his own struggle with receiving the bad news that he had prostrate …

OVER €60,000 was raised for two cancer charities by the recent South for Susan and Antoinette Malin to Mizen cycle. Presentations of €30,390 each were made last week to Kilnamona-based Sláinte an Chláir and Cancer Care West, both of whom provide cancer support services to patients undergoing treatment and their families. The cycle was undertaken in early June, in memory of Susan O’Neill from Ballyea and Antoinette Pender from Quilty, both of whom died from cancer-related illness last year. Upon receiving Sláinte an Chláir’s share of the fundraising, spokesperson Marie Phelan, said, “The amount received this evening means a huge amount to our charity and will enable us to continue supporting cancer patients and their families in practical ways while they undergo treatment for cancer.” Dave O’Donnell, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Cancer Care West said, “We are full of admiration for the Trojan efforts put in by the cyclists and support team during the trip from Malin Head …

A HARDY group of Clare cyclists will travel the entire length of the country next week, raising funds for cancer charities and commemorating two women who passed away in 2021. In July of last year Ballyea’s Susan O’Neill died having battled cancer, and then in November Quilty’s Antoinette Pender also passed, having fought the disease bravely. The cycle, entitled ‘South for Susan and Antoinette’, is in their memory and funds are being raised for Sláinte an Chláir and Cancer Care West. The group of cyclists will make their way to Donegal this Sunday, before setting off from Malin Head on Monday morning on a gruelling challenge. The Monday will see them cycle from Malin Head to Donegal Town; on Tuesday it’s Donegal to Claremorris; Wednesday is Claremorris to Ballyea; Thursday is Ballyea to Blarney and finally on Friday the cyclists will make their way to Mizen Head. The starting point is Ireland’s most northerly point and the finishing its most …

A FUNDRAISING cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head will take place during the first week of June in memory of two women who spent many years cycling and fundraising before passing to their eternal reward during the second half of last year. On July 20, 2021, Susan O’Neill, from Ballyea, died from cancer and on November 11, 2021, Antoinette Pender from Quilty also died having contracted cancer. Both women had fought bravely before finally succumbing and the fundraising cycle is titled ‘South for Susan and Antoinette’. A limited number of cyclists will undertake the journey from Malin Head to Mizen Head between June 6 and 10. Overnight rest points are scheduled for Donegal Town, Claremorris, Ballyea and Blarney. Susan’s husband Michael O’Neill and Antoinette’s husband Jamsie have commenced training in preparation for the once-off event. Both are experienced cyclists and the long miles are not likely to be too daunting to them. Other cyclists who have volunteered for the …

A WELL known Ennis estate agent has made his own move to raise much needed funds for charity. Last Saturday Diarmuid McMahon, of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon, took the plunge and swam from Clare to Galway, across Galway Bay, in aid of Cancer Care West. The former chair of Ennis Chamber has raised almost €2,500 for the charity, with funds still being donated. Speaking to the Champion, Diarmuid described the response to the fundraiser as “phenomenal” and he has expressed his appreciation to everybody who has shown support. His solo togs swim was part of this year’s virtual Frances Thornton Galway Bay Swim which over the years has raised more than €900,000 for Cancer Care West. The funds raised are used to help meet the costs of residential and cancer support services, which are provided free of charge to cancer patients and their families. This is the 16th year of the annual swim, which would normally see 150 people cross the …