42 Cancer Support Services Across Ireland Receive Affiliation Award from the Irish Cancer Society

Access to local Support Services for people with cancer greatly improves quality of life

The Irish Cancer Society has awarded eight cancer support groups affiliation to the Society at a major conference for 700 cancer survivors in Dublin this weekend. This brings the total number to 42 groups across Ireland who are recognised as official affiliates of the Irish Cancer Society. They form part of a national network that provides information and support services to people with cancer. Each of the 42 groups was also awarded a grant by the Society as part of their affiliate status. The awards were made by Irish Entrepreneur Padraig O’Ceidigh. Evidence suggests that when people with cancer receive good support within their own network and community, their quality of life improves. Support centres throughout the country have been providing this service and are mostly run by volunteers. As part of the National Strategy for Cancer Control, the Irish Cancer Society was asked to expand its role to become an umbrella body for these support centres. The Society carried out a scoping study to determine the number of groups around the country, what activities they were engaged in and what their expectations of such a project might be. A directory of all the cancer support services in Ireland was published and a set of good practice guidelines were developed. The Society is rolling out training programmes for each support service and so far, 82 volunteers have attended various training programmes in Mullingar, Cork and Dublin. Further programmes are planned during 2012 in Portlaoise, Tuam, Waterford and Dublin. The Society also runs a grant scheme that each of the support services can apply for as part of their affiliation. Olwyn Ryan, Support Groups Manager, Irish Cancer Society said “Whilst cancer rates are increasing in Ireland, more people are surviving cancer due to earlier detection and advances in care and treatment. It is vital that we have a good support network in place to ensure people with cancer get the help and support they need. This organised support comes in the main from voluntary groups and services at a local level and national bodies like the Irish Cancer Society who play a lead role in the provision of support and care to people with cancer. We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing development of all support groups across the country, large and small.” As well as the Affiliation Awards, the conference will see cancer survivors get together and share information and support on all aspects of a cancer diagnosis, including treatment and aftercare. The theme of the 2012 conference is "Living Well with Cancer" and the aim is to help people with cancer deal better with the life changing implications such a diagnosis brings. The two day programme includes practical information on treatment advances, dealing with fatigue, exercise & diet as well as dealing with the emotional and psychological effects of cancer. Highlights of the conference include Dr. Brian Bird, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Cork who will speak on helping your body thrive after cancer treatment; Ms. Natalie Doyle, Nurse Consultant, Royal Marsden Hospital, London who will talk about living with and beyond cancer and Dr. Maureen Gaffney, Prof. of Psychology, UCD who's talk is entitled Flourishing Under Fire: The Dynamics of Resilience. The Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) offers advice, information and support to anyone concerned or affected by cancer. This service incorporates the National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700: open Mon–Thurs, 9am–7pm and Fri 9am–5pm), email helpline@cancer.ie, live chat on www.cancer.ie and a ‘walk-in’ caller service.