16 people in Donegal hear the words "You've got cancer" every week

Sixteen people hear the dreaded words, 'You've got cancer' every week in Donegal

This grim statistic was one of many disclosed at Tuesday night's launch of the 2023 Relay for Life event which takes place at the Atlantic Technological University campus in Letterkenny on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4.

But it wasn't all bad news.

Relay for Life committee chairman Robert O'Connor told the large attendance in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny that in 2022 essential services were provided to those affected by cancer and their families.

The breakdown showed that €79,125 was spent on Night Nurse services; €18,890 on Travel2Care transportation assistance; €10,980 on counselling services; €76,820 on the Moving On survivorship programme; €11,000 financial support programme; €18,980 on a volunteer driver service; €98,000 on information services delivered by the Daffodil Centre and the Support Line and €15,000 towards research.

However, he said, this assistance for so many facets of the service was not possible without the generous support of the people of Donegal which raised €101,000 last year and appealed for a continuation of this in 2023.

His call was echoed by Global Hero of Hope and special guest on the night, Majella O'Donnell, herself a cancer survivor. She urged the Relay for Life supporters to get teams organised for this year's event adding she noticed there had been a drop off in active participation last year.

"I'm not going to dress it up because last year it was down in previous years. You are here but we are preaching to the converted, you are obviously on board but it's getting out to the other people around the county."

Ms O'Donnell said she could recall the "absolutely fantastic" turnout at the first Relay for Life but found it hard to understand where all that support had gone.

"I don't know if they thought that was it, just raise money for that year because it's not, it's ongoing and we need to do our bit every single year. Go out and pull in as many people as you can. Ask your clubs and organisations to get teams involved. Not only does it bring in more money but it's absolutely empowering and uplifting when you go to the campus and see so many stands. last year there were so many gaps. I felt very sorry last year. It was almost like, should we just give up and walk away? No, we need to support these people, the committee, the volunteers and everybody that's working with Relay for Life by getting as many people as possible to take stands," she said.

She added raising funds for cancer research and support was so important.

"I can see the difference it is making already. I had cancer in July 2013 and it's now 2023 and everything has been good for me so far. What was provided 10 years ago is almost archaic now in terms of treatment for cancer. It's changing all the time and survival and treatment rates are improving all the time but we have to keep on top of it."

The launch also heard from other contributors including Dr Janice Richmond from Letterkenny University Hospital, survivors' personal stories, testimonials from people involved at different levels of dealing with cancer and St Safan National School principal, Tracey McBride on their wonderful 1 for 1 @ 1 challenge which aims to encourage students from all schools all over the county to donate €1 to Relay for Life while doing a challenge at 1pm on a day of their choice.

The famous Relay for Life choir assisted by Ms O'Donnell and talented musician Amy Meehan led the gathering in a number of tunes including 'Lean On Me' and 'You've Got A Friend' to end off what was a very successful event.