Taoiseach, Micheál Martin has paid tribute to a Cork most cancers charity for appearing as “a pillar of help in our neighborhood” over the previous 20 years as he formally opened the charity’s new centre within the metropolis.
Mr Martin stated Cork ARC Cancer Support had developed Sarsfield Home in Wilton on Cork’s southside with the goal of it turning into “a benchmark centre of excellence for the supply of non-clinical most cancers help in Eire”.
The charity’s basic supervisor, Caitriona O’Mahony stated it had seen a pointy improve in demand for its companies, with over 10,881 particular person helps delivered in 2021 and over 250 individuals making contact with the charity for the primary time throughout these 12 months.
This was on prime of a gentle base of 1,500 common customers, stated Ms O’Mahony as she outlined the companies supplied, which embody counselling, group therapies, bodily therapies, bereavement help, mindfulness-based stress discount, artwork remedy and extra.
Ms O’Mahony stated that Cork ARC, which was based in 2003, moved to the state-of-the-art 8,000 sq foot Sarsfield Home in Wilton in 2019 which allowed the charity to considerably improve and broaden its service providing in Cork metropolis.
Nevertheless, in-house companies had been shortly curtailed with the onset of Covid 19 shortly after the transfer. The charity continued its programme of companies, nearly, all through the pandemic by offering info and help to sufferers and their households, she added.
Co-chairperson and one of many founding figures of Cork ARC, Professor Seamus O’Reilly stated the charity was very grateful to the individuals of Cork for his or her massively beneficiant donations over time which has allowed the charity to develop the ability.
“The brand new facility gives most cancers counselling and help to sufferers with most cancers and their households freed from cost – this expanded service is tremendously wanted as we get well from the pandemic,” he stated on the launch on Saturday, as he additionally thanked Mr Martin for his help for the service over the previous twenty years.
Prof O’Reilly reminded Mr Martin throughout a tour of Sarsfield Home of his position in supporting the charity which helped it safe its authentic premises, Cliffdale on College Road the place the charity was primarily based for almost 20 years earlier than demand for its companies outgrew the ability.
He additionally identified ARC Most cancers Assist operates a help centre in Bantry since 2015 to help the individuals of west Cork, who’ve usually to journey lengthy distances to Cork metropolis for his or her remedy and could also be unable to journey for the holistic help that may ease the burden of most cancers.
Anybody who needs to learn about Cork ARC Most cancers Assist Home can be taught extra by visiting www.corkcancersupport.ie
