Taoiseach Micheál Martin today paid a visit to Cork ARC Cancer Support House, a charity based in Cork city and West Cork that provides support to cancer patients and their families. 

The Taoiseach heard about the crucial services provided by Cork ARC throughout the county and beyond, and the demand for support in the wake of Covid-19.

Speaking to Board Members and Senior Management of the organisation, the Taoiseach heard of the positive impact that emotional and psychological support can have for patients, and how this support is made possible by the generosity of fundraising activities in the community. 

The Taoiseach was also reminded of his instrumental role in the founding of Cork ARC Cancer Support House – and how it was his support that granted their charity their original premises, ‘Cliffdale’, in the city centre where they operated for almost 20 years.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

I want to pay tribute to the work of Cork ARC, which for more than two decades has provided such as essential service for the community, offering a wide range of care from counselling, to family support, information and health programmes. 

Cork ARC has such a positive impact on the lives of so many people on a daily basis, and has been a pillar of support for the city and the entire region since my time as Minister for Health

During Covid lockdowns, the charity pivoted their services to an online format to ensure that this essential support was not missed. In 2020 alone, there were 741 new contacts to the charity – showing the heightened impact of a diagnosis in isolation.

Professor Seamus O’Reilly, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Co-Chairperson of Cork ARC spoke on the impact a diagnosis has on patients:

When we think of cancer in medicine we think of a physical thing. But for patients with cancer and their families, it is very much a psychological stress. That is why the emotional support on offer here is so essential – sharing in those feelings can reduce the sense of isolation… the impact of the illness.

Speaking on the programme of services, General Manager Catriona O’Mahony explained:

What we offer is a safe haven for cancer patients and their families, and at the core of what we do is ensuring that those impacted by cancer are not alone. But we also offer services like reflexology, pilates and acupuncture – all free of charge – and with their own individual benefits. It could be a gentle acupuncture session – so different from the many medical appointments, tests and treatments – or pilates for women after breast cancer, helping them to work through a new range of movement after treatment. Everything we offer complements the medical model, so no matter what stage of the cancer journey someone is on, we are here to help.

It was highlighted that in pandemic times, the charity has seen a devastating impact on fundraising – with almost all regular fundraising events cancelled or curtailed, meaning a significant drop in funding to provide support for patients and their families.

Cork ARC relocated in 2019 to a state of the art 8,000 sq ft Sarsfield House, which has allowed the charity and the House to become a pinnacle of cancer care in the community. The move allowed the charity to significantly increase and expand their service offering in Cork city. Cork ARC also operates a cancer support house in Bantry, providing support across West Cork. 

NOTES?

Cork ARC Cancer Support House has provided help, information and support to people with

cancer and their families since 2003. Services include counselling, group therapies, physical

therapies, bereavement support, mindfulness-based stress reduction, art therapy and more.

Services are provided by qualified experts in oncology, clinical treatment and

physical/mental therapies, as well as from a network of volunteers, many of whom have

been through their own cancer journey.

Cork ARC has continued their programme of services, virtually, throughout the pandemic by

providing information and support to patients and their families. Despite restrictions on face-

to-face contact earlier in the year, the number of support delivered by the charity grew in 2020 – showcasing the importance of these services for cancer patients in Cork.

Cork ARC Cancer Support House is a safe haven for people with cancer and their families. 

Visit www.corkcancersupport.ie to learn more.

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