THE group Co-operating for Cancer Care North West has moved today to distance itself from any perceived criticism of the Relay for Life event.
It comes after some people questioned where money from the event would be spent.
Hoever Noelle Duddy, spokesperson, CCC(NW) insisted today: “Last week it was reported in the media that ‘Cancer Groups’ in Donegal had ‘serious concerns’ that the monies raised, during May’s Relay for Life event, of almost 350,000 euro, would not be spent in Donegal.
“Co-operating for Cancer Care NorthWest would like to publicly state that it was not one of those ‘Cancer Groups’, nor do we share these ‘Cancer Groups’ concerns.
“CCC(NW) has never had or expressed any concern regarding monies raised by the very successful Relay for Life – Donegal fund raiser for the Irish Cancer Society, (ICS) nor on how this money is to be spent.
“The Relay for Life – Donegal Committee was very clear in informing the community in Donegal that it was fund-raising for the ICS, a national cancer charity. The phenomenal success of their event was testament to their very hard work and to the great generosity of Donegal people. Well done.
“CCC(NW) has always recognised the Irish Cancer Society’s contribution for many, many years to the support, education, care and welfare of not only cancer patients and their families in Donegal but throughout Ireland. The Society, which receives no Government funding also funds cancer research which will help current and/or future cancer patients.”
“CCC(NW) applauds the news that the ICS will be opening a Daffodil Centre in Letterkenny General Hospital in the autumn. This Centre will be a most welcomed and needed resource for cancer patients and their families as they begin their journey through a cancer diagnosis and treatment and also as a resource in educating the general public on cancer awareness, prevention and early detection. Further information on the work of the ICS can be found on its website, www.cancer.ie”
“As members of the public have being contacting us on this issue over the last week, it has become clear that some people are confusing us with Donegal Action for Cancer Care, (DACC). CCC(NW) would like to clarify that we have absolutely no connection with DACC/Betty Holmes. We do not fund-raise nor do we provide services. We are strictly a lobbying group, campaigning for the retention and development of cancer services in Donegal/NW and for the much needed provision of an equitable single tier health service. Our most recent success has been to lobby for the approval of the cross border North West Radiotherapy Centre at Altnagelvin which will provide treatment for the majority of future Donegal cancer patients, thus removing the distress of having to travel to Galway or Dublin for radiotherapy. It is envisaged that this Centre will be operational by 2016. CCC(NW) continues to support further cross border co-operation in Healthcare.”