Children’s Cancer Charity Marks 10 years of Therapeutic Support with Launch of New Services Model
Children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children, has hosted a special event to mark 10 years of therapeutic support at their purpose-built facility, Daisy Lodge, and launch their new services model.
The charity was joined by current and past service users, the Health Minister, MLAs, representatives from the statutory and voluntary sector and corporate supporters to recognise the impact 10 years of therapeutic short breaks have had for families impacted by cancer.
Guests heard from a range of speakers including mum of three Ellen Vance whose eldest son Todd was diagnosed with Glioma in 2010 when he was just nine years old.
Todd underwent 92 weeks of chemotherapy treatment and was one of the first children to stay in Daisy Lodge along with his family.
Cancer Fund for Children opened the doors of Daisy Lodge in October 2014.
Since then, they have welcomed 4,000 families for therapeutic short breaks, often during times of significant distress, upheaval, and uncertainty.
Feedback from families supported by Cancer Fund for Children has found that time spent together at Daisy Lodge has helped them connect as a family, feel heard, gain support from others in similar situations and benefit from much needed rest and relaxation.
Raph O’Connor Cancer Fund for Children’s Residential Services Manager, said: “We can’t believe that we’re celebrating the 10th birthday of Daisy Lodge, and we want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this point.
“From businesses to community groups and individuals, the support we have received and the generosity and kindness we have experienced has completely blown us away.
Families travel from across the island of Ireland to experience the restorative atmosphere Cancer Fund for Children provides here, but unfortunately, for each family we can support, there are another six we cannot.
“There are currently 370 families on the waiting list to come and stay with us which is why we are excited that building of our second Daisy Lodge, located in Co. Mayo will commence early next year. Once operational we will be able to reduce waiting time and better serve those who need our support.”
Neil Symington, Cancer Fund for Children’s Director of Services added: “Over the past 10 years we have continued to learn, to listen and to sensitively develop our services in direct response to the needs of children and young people.
“Today we are proud to launch our organisational ‘model of practice’ based on their feedback. The model outlines our approach to service delivery and its purpose which is – to connect, nurture, understand and empower.
“Our new model will guide the support we provide to young people across the island of Ireland impacted by cancer, now and in the future.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbittalso attending said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to mark the 10th anniversary of Daisy Lodge.
“The opportunities provided here for young people to connect with other families and peers facing the same challenges can be invaluable in helping them to cope with the effects of living with cancer.
“I want to recognise the excellent work of the staff of Cancer Fund for Children, without whose passion and dedication to improving the lives of people with cancer, none of this would be possible.
“The charity’s person-centred approach, focusing on the power of relationships, connections, compassion and flexibility, aligns closely with my Department’s vision for shaping cancer services for young people.”
Leslie Michell, Assistant Director of Nursing within cancer services in the Western Health and Social Care Trust closed the event by reinforcing the importance of collaboration between the statutory and voluntary sector and the need for cancer services provided by charities like Cancer Fund for Children.
For more information about Cancer Fund for Children go to:
Image 1: Pictured
Image 2 and 3: Pictured (l-r) Raph O’Connor, Residential Services Manager at Cancer Fund for Children, Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt and Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children.
Image 4: Pictured (l-r) Raph O’Connor, Residential Services Manager at Cancer Fund for Children, Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt and Todd and Ellen Vance, family supported by Cancer Fund for Children.
