Local charity Friends of the Cancer Centre is bringing a little festive cheer to the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre this Christmas with the help of some very special friends.
Friends of the Cancer Centre welcomed rugby star Iain Henderson and broadcaster John Daly – who are both patrons of the charity – to the Cancer Centre to meet staff and give gifts to young people undergoing treatment. Iain and John had the opportunity to meet and spend time with young patients, as well as give a gift on behalf of the charity. In total, Friends of the Cancer Centre will give 178 gifts to patients across Northern Ireland this Christmas, including those who will be spending Christmas Day in hospital.
Explaining why this is such an important part of the charity’s work, Ana Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said:
“Christmas is a really special time of year, but for many people with cancer Christmas will be spent in hospital undergoing treatment or attending appointments. Whilst we know nothing will make this time easier, we still want to try to make this time a little brighter and that’s why we were delighted to welcome John and Iain to the hospital. It was lovely to see them spend time, chat and have a bit of fun with patients and to have the opportunity to meet staff throughout the hospital.
“Whilst staff endeavour to get as many patients as they can home for Christmas Day, not all patients are well enough and many can’t take a break from their treatment. To help bring a little cheer on Christmas morning, the charity will be giving a small gift to all those spending the special day in hospital. Giving gifts has been a charity tradition for many, many years and it’s a really powerful part of our work, as it can let families know that we are thinking of them.”
For nearly 40 years, Friends of the Cancer Centre has been dedicated to making a real and meaningful difference to cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland. The charity is here to enhance the quality of patient care and support through its life-changing and life-saving work which includes funding specialist nurses, supporting local research and providing practical support, such as financial grants, which help families through a difficult time. Friends of the Cancer Centre relies on the generosity of the local community and all money donated stays in Northern Ireland, directly benefitting patients and their families.
Highlighting how important it is to support young people at this time of year, Rachael Anderson, Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Adolescent and Young Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, said:
“Christmas can be a really difficult time of year for many people, but for our young patients it can be particularly challenging. Many will be undergoing treatment over Christmas, with some possibly spending Christmas Day in hospital. Many others may be feeling unwell andunable to enjoy this time of year in the way that they, and their peers, previously have.
“It can be quite a lonely and anxious time for our young people, so to have a special visit from John and Iain and to give them a gift was just a lovely way to show them that we are thinking of them. It’s an incredibly thoughtful gesture that has a big impact. I am extremely grateful to Friends of the Cancer Centre, and everyone who supports its work, for their generosity as it is going to put a smile on many young people’s faces this Christmas.”
Find out more about Friends of the Cancer Centre at www.friendsofthecancercentre.com
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