Pictured (centre, third row from front) are Mayo Cancer Support staff members Orla Gillespie (manager) and Rose Lynchehaun (administrator) at the NCCP’s ACCSC plaque presentation ceremony in Farmleigh House, Dublin, with Minister of State at the Department of Health, Colm Burke, as well as representatives of the NCCP and other community cancer support centres.

Work of Mayo Cancer Support recognised by HSE NCCP

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The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Minister of State Colm Burke have acknowledged the valuable role of community cancer centres including Mayo Cancer Support.

At a recent ceremony in Farmleigh Estate, Dublin, community cancer support centres from across the country, including Mayo Cancer Support, were presented with plaques by Minister Burke to recognise their work in ensuring comprehensive care for those living with and beyond cancer and acknowledging their membership of the NCCP’s Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres (ACCSC).

Based at Rock Rose house in Castlebar, Mayo Cancer Support has been an associate member of the ACCSC since late 2023.

Membership of the alliance (which was established in 2022) is the equivalent of a 'Q Mark' for community cancer support centres, demonstrating that they are compliant with the NCCP’s Best Practice Guidance in terms of the delivery of community-based psychosocial services and survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.

Mayo Cancer Support’s services include professional one-to-one counselling, complementary therapies, group activities, survivorship programmes and children’s services – all of which are available free of charge to cancer patients/survivors and their loved ones.

Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide, national director, HSE NCCP, said the event at Farmleigh Estate marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts to support cancer patients and their families throughout Ireland.

He commented: “These (community cancer support) centres provide invaluable psychosocial support and survivorship programmes, ensuring comprehensive care for those living with and beyond cancer.”

Also in attendance were the NCCP’s lead for cancer survivorship, Louise Mullen; clinical lead for psycho-oncology, Dr. Helen Greally; and patient engagement manager, Dorothy Thomas.

You can find out more about the Alliance and read its 2024 Annual Activity Report at hse.ie/thealliance. For more information on Mayo Cancer Support, visit the website at https://www.mayocancersupport.ie, email info@mayocancersupport.ie, or call (094) 9038407.

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