The final hour of the programme was a special broadcast from the headquarters of Sláinte an Chláir, Clare Cancer Support, in Kilnamona.
For nearly a decade now, services have been offered by the group to people who have, or who had had, cancer, as well as their family members. Currently, those services include Tai Chi, reflexology, Aqua Aerobics, counselling, a bone exercise class and Arts and Crafts both from their base in Kilnamona and, one day a week, from their outreach centre at Raheen Community Hospital.
This morning, we first heard from Marie Phelan (Joint Treasurer) and Teresa Murrihy (Honorary Chairperson) who spoke about the history of the group, and also its future as Sláinte looks to move to a new premises in Ennis in the coming years. That plan is in its early stages.
Mary McGrath of Labasheeda and Kathleen O’Loughlin of Corofin shared their stories of dealing with cancer, and how Sláinte supported them, before Miriam Donnellan shared her story of how Sláinte provided invaluable support to her after her daughter Maxine died as a result of cancer in Luxembourg.
Mags Queally talked about her role, and that of the Clare public, in supporting SaC through their bingo game that is broadcast each weekday on Clare FM and has quickly become their biggest fundraiser. The programme then finished by hearing from Liz Delaney (Mountshannon), Mary Skehan and Anne Murphy (both from Tulla) who outlined details of the services on offer through Sláinte an Chláir from their second centre in Raheen Hospital, Tuamgraney.
More information is available on Slainte an Chláir, Clare Cancer Support from www.clarecancersupport.com and on 087-6912396. Clare Cancer Support provides access to information about diagnosis, treatment and care. It can also put people in touch with practical, emotional and social support.
Listen back below:
Meanwhile, on Thursday’s programme we aired a piece with physiotherapist Aideen Farrell and with another service user, Lindsay Walsh from Kilnamona, about the bone strengthening class at Sláinte. You can hear that here as well.
