Rotary assists cancer support centre in Tipperary with donation of €6,000

Above: At the presentation of a cheque for €6,000 from the Rotary Club of Clonmel to the CARE Cancer Support Centre were Michael O’Brien, centre manager; Bess Hughes, centre trustee; Seamus Ryan, president, Rotary Club of Clonmel; and Tom Duggan, Rotary project chairman

The role of volunteerism in Clonmel, and its benefits to the community, has been highlighted by the manager at the CARE Clonmel Cancer Support Centre, Michael O’Brien.

He was speaking as he accepted a cheque for €6,000 from the Rotary Club of Clonmel, the proceeds from a flag day collection in the town.

“This is an unbelievable gesture that we are truly blown away by,” he said, adding that it will be of huge benefit to the Wellington Street centre.

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Mr O’Brien pointed out that apart from an association with the Irish Cancer Society, who help with the cost of counselling, and an indirect contribution from the HSE through the National Cancer Control Programme, over 90% of its funding comes from voluntary donations and fundraising.

“We are so grateful to the Rotary Club for this donation and we know how dedicated all your members are to Clonmel.

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“We are volunteers as well, with a voluntary board, and all our therapists, Reiki specialists, reflexologists and mindfulness specialists are all volunteers.

“That’s a common thread that runs through a lot of activities in Clonmel.

“Rotary can be very proud of the impact that it makes on the lives of the people of Clonmel and the benefits to the community.
“It’s in your nature to volunteer and to contribute your time, energy and efforts,” Mr O’Brien said.

And he stressed that this work wouldn’t go unnoticed because of the huge impact it will have on the CARE Cancer Support Centre.

He added – “We are dependent on donations from organisations like yours and without this support we cannot exist. We have been in existence for 23 years providing emotional support for people going through cancer and their families.

“When people approached us during the collections, they weren’t just contributing money but sharing stories on how they were affected by cancer themselves or someone in their family.

“There isn’t a person in Clonmel who hasn’t been affected. You have helped us to provide a support service for people going through cancer, at diagnosis stage, going through treatment or those who have survived cancer”.

Presenting the cheque to Mr O’Brien and centre trustee Bess Hughes, Rotary Club president Seamus Ryan paid tribute to the centre and its work.

He thanked the people of Clonmel who were so generous in their support, and along with Mr O’Brien, paid glowing tribute to project chairman Tom Duggan for his role in organising the event.