|
Donegal Cancer Support Seeks Cross Border Partner in Strabane |
| Print |
|
E-mail
|
|
Thursday, 07 July 2005 |
|
physical fitness exercise The Donegal Cancer Support Centre - a participant of the Communities in Contact project - is currently seeking a cross border partner from the Strabane District area. Communities in Contact is a cross border community networking initiative funded under Measure 3.1 of the INTERREG IIIA Programme aimed at facilitating cross border partnerships between groups in the Strabane District and Donegal Town areas. The Donegal Cancer Support Centre have become involved in the project in an attempt to develop their cross border links and meet a similar group operating in the Strabane area that would be interested in participating in the project with them and in sharing information and ideas. At the very least the Centre would like to hear from anyone who voluntarily dedicates their time to fundraising or providing emotional support to people in their area who would be interested in learning from the experience of the Support Centre in Donegal.
Donegal Cancer Support was founded in 1989 when a group of women going
through chemotherapy met and continued to meet to discuss emotional,
practical and physical problems that they had encountered. The women
found that getting together helped them cope with their illness as a
cancer diagnosis can create a sense of alienation for both patient and
family members.
Since then the group has steadily grown and
there are now over fifty active members involved in the Donegal Cancer
Support Group. The support provided is holistic and complements medical
care and services are open to everyone irrespective of religion, gender
or race. All members are volunteers who have either had personal
experience of cancer themselves or have had a spouse or close relative
with cancer.
Since 1999 the group have operated a Drop-in-Centre
offering emotional support and practical help to people with cancer,
their families and friends. Additional services offered by the Cancer
Support Centre include a telephone support service, home visits,
educational programmes, social activities, library and bereavement
support and counselling. The Centre is currently situated on the Old
Laghey Road in Donegal Town however the group have acquired a site,
drawn up plans and raised ?157, 280 towards a purpose-built centre.
In
the future, as well as developing their cross border links the Centre
plans to set up additional sub-groups such as an all men?s group. One
existing sub-group is the North West Lymphoedema Support Group which is
endeavouring to raise awareness and provide accessible information on
Lymphoedema, it?s causes and available treatments.
The Donegal
Cancer Support Centre would very much like to share their experiences
with anyone in the Strabane District who carries out similar work in
their area either as part of a group or independently. Further
information may be obtained by contacting the Centre on 0035374
9740837. Opening times are Monday 7 - 9pm, Tuesday 10.30am - 12.30pm
and Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm. Alternatively, you may contact Teresa
McPhilemy at Communities in Contact on Strabane 71 883662 or Donegal 97
23760.
|
