Irish Cancer Society

Our community is at the heart of everything we do and together our passion to create a future where nobody dies from cancer is absolute. To achieve this mission, quite simply, #WeWontStop. We won't stop researching better treatments. We won't stop advocating for the needs of cancer patients across the country. We won't stop listening and giving advice to everyone who needs us. We won’t stop showing up when you need us. For support and more visit cancer.ie

🏃♂️🌟 Ready for a challenge? Take on Marathon in a Month! 🌟🏃♀️ This is the marathon everyone can complete! Choose any month and conquer 42km at your own pace. Whether you walk, run, or jog, every step counts towards supporting cancer patients and their families across Ireland. Beyond showing your support you'll also reap the benefits of Marathon in a Month! 🌞 Get out in the fresh air 💪 Boost your fitness levels 🧘♀️ Improve your mental health 🌳 Enjoy the great outdoors Visit cancer.ie/MIAM to join the challenge! 🌟

To mark World Head and Neck Cancer Day, Fergus shares his story - In October 2022, Fergus noticed what he thought was a toothache getting worse. “Whenever I ate, I’d notice a pain on my lower right jaw, and gradually, the pain got sharper and more intense.” After visiting his dentist, he was sent for further investigation, doctors discovered what they thought to be a cyst. “I was put forward for surgery – they removed the tooth and the cyst – but weeks later the pain was persisted.” Then aged 51, a nurse working in Co. Kerry, Fergus was referred to see a consultant in Cork and sent for a biopsy. "The results came back on a Friday in late March and I was told to get to Cork the Monday morning and to bring somebody with me. That’s when my world was turned upside down.” “It was shocking to hear those three words, and when you think of how it all started, to go from a toothache, to 5/6 months later being told ‘you have cancer’ – it took me a while to come to terms with it. Fergus’s surgery took place in May 2023. “They removed the tumour inside my jaw and then I underwent a jaw reconstruction where they used bone from my fibula and then some tissue from my calf. I underwent some skin grafts then to patch over the skin. It was tough surgery and the recovery was difficult. Over a year later, I’m still only get back up to where I was pre-surgery – I’m doing a lot of cycling but I’m still not able to go jogging, but that is something I would love to get back to.” Following his surgery, Fergus underwent chemoradiotherapy, which involved 33 sessions of radiation and six sessions of chemotherapy. “During that period, I lost a significant amount of weight. I went from around 90kgs down to 70kgs. That treatment took its toll. In the aftermath of his treatment, Fergus attended his local cancer support centre – The Recovery Haven – in Tralee. This is one of 24 local cancer support centres across the country where counselling services are funded by the Irish Cancer Society. “In hindsight, I should have gone sooner. That would be my message to anybody, don’t go through cancer alone. Please do reach out to the supports that are there to help."

👩⚕️Your medical team will talk with you about the best treatments for your mouth, head or neck cancer. But diagnoses are complicated, so if you have questions, we can help. 🏵️ Stop in to your nearest Daffodil Centre. 📱 Contact our nurses on the Support Line. 💻 Check out our #MHNCancer information for patients here 👇 https://lnkd.in/e3AwUhz9 #WorldHeadAndNeckCancerDay

"As I planned our March wedding, I realized Daffodil Day fell the day before, so choosing Irish Cancer Society favours seemed perfect. "Our wedding day was made even more special by honoring my Mum, who passed from cancer, which added a heartfelt touch to our celebration. 💛 Supporting a great cause made our wedding day even more memorable. I’d recommend it to anyone, as it was really easy in terms of simply buying them online and getting them delivered." - Gillian Add an extra special touch to your big day, check out our wedding favours at cancer.ie/wedding

“The comradery is beautiful.”💜 53-year-old Frances Kerry – La Rosa from Laois says she wishes she could bottle the atmosphere of an Irish Cancer Society Relay For Life Event. “I volunteer with numerous groups, mainly working with young people, and have done so for over a decade. As I work in the post primary sector, I am passionate about encouraging young people to give back to society, whether it is helping their own community, a national cause or supporting each other, I feel it is important to experience the joy of giving back. There is so much to learn from volunteering. “We fundraise annually in school, and one year we decided to donate half our funds to the Irish Cancer Society Relay For Life Laois. “From that point onwards, I personally felt drawn to the cause, I liked the idea that you are doing something at a county level, but also nationally. “We lost my mum to cancer in 2000 at the age of 61, just when she would have begun to enjoy retirement after a life of hard work and looking after everyone else. My wedding day was her last day out of bed before she passed away a month later. I have also lost numerous friends and other relatives to cancer. So, I really understand how cancer can impact people. “The comradery at a Relay For Life event is beautiful. If we could bottle the atmosphere and emotionally charged air that exists at the Candle of Hope Ceremony, we would never even need to advertise the event. We are extremely privileged to have the most beautiful setting in Emo Court. “When complete strangers ask about the Irish Cancer Society Relay For Life 24-hour walk or the candle bags, the conversation often moves on to their personal story. When they share this with you, there are sometimes no words to explain that honour and privilege. I would recommend anyone to volunteer or get involved, if they have the time, to give a little back and help support each other.” Relay For Life Laois kicks off this weekend, July 27th at Emo Court House. For more information, visit 👉https://lnkd.in/gdz2dByh

Today we pay tribute to the mothers who have spearheaded the #LeaveOurLeave campaign as we mark a major step towards all mothers with cancer being entitled to defer their maternity leave. Mothers like Erica, Mary and Emma – among others – bravely shared their experience to save other women the heartache they faced while diagnosed with cancer while on maternity leave. The Government has today approved a proposed change which will allow women defer maternity leave if they are diagnosed with a serious illness while on leave. We are hopeful that this important legislation is fast-tracked as promised by Minister Roderic O’Gormon has promised and passed into law as soon as possible.

🎓 Ready to elevate your research skills? Join us for the 2024 Research Skills Summer School in Tullamore! 🌟 This FREE course, led by Dr. Emer Guinan and Dr. Linda O'Neill, is perfect for anyone eager to dive into research - no experience required! Join one, or both blocks and take your research skills to the next level! ✨ Apply now to secure your spot at: https://brnw.ch/21wLtbr

The Irish Cancer Society is working to build a future where no-one dies from cancer and everyone affected by the disease has access to world-class treatment, care and support. In response to significant growth in its services, new investments, and increasing operational complexity, the Irish Cancer Society is now seeking to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO). Lansdowne Executive Search has been retained to manage the appointment of this newly created role. https://lnkd.in/g_pKXCn6

👄👤Some of the signs of mouth, head and neck cancer may seem pretty ordinary, like a hoarse voice, sore throat, or mouth ulcer.🗣️👅 👀But if you spot something that’s unusual for you and that won’t go away after 3 weeks, get your GP or dentist to check it out.👩⚕️ 👉Learn more here👉https://lnkd.in/ekf5RdhZ #SpotCancerEarly #MHNCancer