Cancer Support Centre expanding its supports

THE East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support centre is expanding its operation to include a new transport facility.
The centre is leasing an eight-seater people carrier that will transport eight clients from the centre in Ballinasloe to University Hospital, Galway, for their radiotherapy appointments.
The new service was officially launched by Connacht rugby players and patrons of the centre Ultan Dillane and James Connolly this week.
It is hoped that the service will ease the burden on people undergoing radiotherapy, while it is aimed that their journey to Galway is more comfortable and less stressful. The service will be in operation five days a week and is free of charge.
The centre's manager Jacqueline Daly said there is demand for the transport.
“Radiotherapy can be absolutely exhausting. Added to that clients have to try and drive to Galway, get to the hospital and park and pay for fuel and parking. Often another member of the family has to take time off work to travel with the person,” she said.
“Trying to keep your mental health while you are fighting something physical is just so hard,” she added.
“On average every day between 20 and 30 people are going to Galway for radiotherapy, just from Ballinasloe. If people don't have transport they stay in the hospital which takes up a bed. This way we are freeing up beds.
“We opted for a people carrier that can carry eight passengers,” added Ms Daly.
She is hopeful that the new service will expand in the next few years.
“Within two years we hope to have three vehicles on the road,” said Ms Daly. “We need people to get in behind us.”