Cancer Fund for Children to Build Therapeutic Centre for Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer
Cancer Fund for Children is an all-Ireland charity whose mission is to ensure no child across the island of Ireland has to face cancer alone. The charity provides emotional, social and therapeutic support to children impacted by cancer and their families, at home, in the hospital and at their short break centre, Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle Co. Down.
2024 has been a significant year for the children’s cancer charity. In January they announced that tender documents were available for their second therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge, to be built near Cong, Co. Mayo. The charity’s capital project which will allow them to increase the number of family members they can support from 1,800 to 4,000 each year has now reached the final stages of public procurement. Once a contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction on the state-of-the-art therapeutic centre will commence in 2025.
In May, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly visited the Daisy Lodge site which is located on the shores of Lough Corrib outside Cong village. Here, he met with the O’Malley family who have been supported by Cancer Fund for Children.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly meets the O’Malley family at the site of Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge.
Speaking of his visit Minister Donnelly said,
“Partnering with Cancer Fund for Children on the funding of a second Daisy Lodge means we will establish a vital service based in the West of Ireland for children from across the island. It is vital for these children and their families to have an amazing experience, to relax and enjoy time together away from the surroundings of a hospital environment while still having the support they need.”
Pictured at Galway Races Irish National Hunt Jockey joins Cancer Fund for Children as a charity ambassador
An architect’s impression of Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break centre Daisy Lodge, construction is due to commence following the completion of public procurement.
In the summer, Cancer Fund for Children announced a two-year charity partnership with Connacht GAA and that Irish National Hunt Jockey Rachael Blackmore had come on board as their ambassador. In September, international golfer Rory McIlroy was interviewed by Late Late Show host, Patrick Kielty to help raise awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Speaking of his support Rory McIlroy said,
“For me, you look at these families that have been so unfortunate to have to deal with cancer. I visited Cancer Fund for Children, and I decided I wanted to help fund a new facility for them because I saw the work that the staff does, I saw how appreciative that the families were, that they had a place to go. To be able to help in some small way to provide something for these families, it’s incredibly fulfilling.”
In September former Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny who is Cancer Fund for Children’s International Ambassador for Daisy Lodge in Cong visited Chicago with representatives from the charity to increase awareness and engagement. Cancer Fund for Children were so grateful for the incredible reception they received and for the generosity and support of so many.
(From left to right) Peter O’Brien, Chair of Cancer Fund for Children with the charity’s international ambassador Mr Enda Kenny and Cancer Fund for Children CEO, Phil Alexander outside Daisy Lodge the charity’s therapeutic centre, in Newcastle Co. Down.
Speaking of his support for the charity Enda Kenny said,
“Cancer Fund for Children are world leaders in what they do and their engagement with families who are navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis is extraordinary. I’m committed to bringing like-minded people together to make the new Daisy Lodge centre in Mayo a reality, so that families across Ireland can feel safe to relax, recharge and make memories in what can be very trying circumstances.”
Throughout 2024, Cancer Fund for Children’ Cancer Support Specialists have continued to provide support to children diagnosed with cancer and their families at home and at hospital. Funded in partnership with the Katie Nugent Fund this community-based service helps ensure that children with cancer, their siblings and parents living throughout all 32 counties have access to emotional and therapeutic support. The charity’s team of six Cancer Support Specialists help young people feel less isolated and through age-appropriate support encourages them to develop the confidence and practical skills to cope with their cancer.
For more information about Cancer Fund for Children or to lend your support go to cancerfundforchildren.com or email Siobhan Hanley, Director of Development,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .