Big Tom launches Daffodil Day and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Castleblayney Cancer Society.

On the 5th March last Castleblayney Cancer Society launched Daffodil Day 2015 and marked its 25th anniversary. Big Tom and his wife Rose performed the honours on the night in the company of past and present members of Castleblayney Cancer Society Committee and a large number of volunteers and supporters of the society. All of the original committee members were acknowledge and two past members Des McGlynn RIP and Tessie McGuinness RIP were remembered on the night.

The Chairperson Mairead McGuinness briefly explored the 25th years since the formation of the Castleblayney Cancer Society. She explained that the concept of hospice homecare, now known as palliative care was first brought to our area in 1989 by Tom Hudson CEO of The Irish Cancer Society, Dr Rory O’Hanlon, Minister for Health and Mr Pat Drury who was to become the Chairperson of the newly formed Co Monaghan Homecare movement. The idea behind this concept was of a community supporting and looking after its own in difficult times i.e. when diagnosis with cancer or with a terminal illness as a result of cancer. The inspiration behind the hospice movement were the words of Dame Cecily Saunders, the founder of the first ever hospice. These read as

“You matter because you are
You matter to the end of your life
We will do all we can not only to help you to die
But also to live until you die”

Mairead went on to explain that numerous public meetings were held in Co Monaghan and eventually the Co Monaghan Hospice Homecare Movement with support groups in each of the five main towns in the county was formed. The aims of the movement were:

• To allow people to die in their own homes if that’s what they wished. Research showed that this was the wish of the majority of people.
• To provide support to facilitate this by providing

1. Medical expertise
2. Nursing expertise
3. Home support
4. Specialist equipment

It was well recognised that in hospital medicine focus on “cure”. The movement was looking at a new focus which was “caring” for people with a terminal diagnosis. In 1989 there were few experts in this model of care so the movement undertook to provide education for nursing personnel in what is now knowing as palliative care. There were many meetings with the N.E.H.B. and after much discussion it was agreed to form a partnership where the N.E.H.B. were involved in helping to launch and provide this new service.

Eventually Co Monaghan had one trained nurse and she provided a service to all of the county. This service was funded by movement funds. To provide these funds each town in Co Monaghan held fund raising events. We in Castleblayney held a dance. The headline act was Big Tom and the Mainliners and this event raised more money than was ever imagined. The popularity of Big Tom in 1989 was as great then as it is today and of course Tom gave freely and willingly of his time and talent. That dance set the Cancer Society on the road to help and supporting many many people who have had a cancer diagnosis over the last 25 years.

The Hospice Movement in the county eventually disbanded and the HSE are now responsible for funding and administrating the Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care Service. Up to ten nurses with the support of a Consultant and a multidisciplinary team provide expert care to people with a terminal diagnosis.

Castleblayney Cancer Society support the service they provide by funding

• Additional nursing hours
• Homecare support
• Transport for treatment
• Childcare
• Funding for hardship as a result of an illness.

The Chairperson was happy to report that Castleblayney Cancer Society also support people with a cancer diagnosis throughout the course of their treatment. A growing number of these people recover and go on to live health and fulfilled lives.

Without the support of generosity of the people in the Castleblayney area none of this would be possible. Nowadays Castleblayney Cancer Society do not have to organise events. Other groups in the community fund raise on behalf of the society. Practically every group in the community have in many ways supported the service down the years. They are too numerous to mention individually but groups include, Oram, Broomfield, Cremartin, Annyalla, Doohamlet, Blackhill, Aughmullen and Drumhown Communities. The local Faughs GAA group. Numerous golfing groups. Businesses and Industries in the area. All the local schools both primary and second level. The Showband Groups in town and beyond. Individuals who remember the society in both times of joy and sorrow, eg birthdays, weddings and funerals. The Defence Forces, both the Army and Gardai have supported the society. The Courts have provided funding in lieu of fines and Church Groups of every domination have provided funds for the service.

Castleblayney Cancer Society deeply appreciated every single penny raised by the public on their behalf however when marking 25 years it is considered appropriate to particularly acknowledge individuals who have raised in excess of €30,000. The late Tony Loughman RIP, fund raised in memory of his great friend, Dickie Sullivan RIP. Martin McCourt had a major event in Cremartin in memory of his much loved mother, Mary McCourt RIP and Owen Cunningham hosts annual golf classics in memory of his beloved wife, Una RIP. These major fund raisers allowed the committee to have funds in reserve which could be drawn down during difficult economic times.

It was to represent all of this amazing people that Big Tom and his wife Rose cut the cake to mark the 25th anniversary of Castleblayney Cancer Society and to launch the forthcoming Daffodil Day on 27th March next.

Following the review The Chairperson, Mairead McGuinness continues with her report and stated that travel is still our greatest expense. Recently at the launch of the National Daffodil Day she looked into the Care to Drive Programme which is been run on a pilot scheme in some area in the country and hopefully it will be coming to Cavan and Drogheda soon.

Last year’s Daffodil Day event raised €8,000 and these funds are sent to the Irish Cancer Society. They in turn help fund the palliative care service, night nursing service and oncology service, cancer helpline which many people find invaluable. There was a request for volunteers for the forthcoming Daffodil Day on 27th March

The Chairperson thanked the Public Health Nurses for their help and support through the year and for all past years. Mairead also thanked her fellow officers for their work and support throughout the year. This concluded her report.

The Treasurer Mary Connolly reported that the books balanced and no drawdown was necessary on the reserve funds. Mary went on to talk about the many fund raising events and thanked everyone involved in any way who contributed to the work of the society. The accounts were audited voluntarily by Connolly and McCabe, Accountants. Copies of the Accounts were available for inspection on the night.

The election of officers followed and all the committee were returned en bloc.

There was no other business and the meeting was ended.