Cancer support service running on goodwill
SIR, May I begin by offering you and your readers every good wish for 2018 from everyone here at Recovery Haven Kerry.
As a new year dawns, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person across the county and beyond who has supported our service during 2017.
Not for the first time, everyone here at Recovery Haven Kerry has been utterly bowled over by the outpouring of support and generosity from the people of Kerry and further afield – people, without whose goodwill, we simply could not keep our doors open.
As you may be aware, Recovery Haven Kerry delivers caring and therapeutic services to those who have, or are experiencing cancer, their families and carers free of charge in a tranquil and safe environment in Tralee – with outreach services in Killarney and most recently Killorglin.
Up to the end of November 2017, there were just over 2,000 attendances to our cancer support centres across the county. In that time, Recovery Haven Kerry has also provided 383 free counselling sessions to men, women and children, as well as 659 sessions of complementary therapies.
Of our client list of over 1,100, a staggering 164 people are new to the service in 2017.
With absolutely no State funding, Recovery Haven Kerry continues to provide free complementary therapy sessions such as Reiki, reflexology and massage. We run a men’s and women’s cancer support group, bereavement support, arts and crafts, mindfulness courses, pilates classes, walking groups, a wig clinic fitting service, HSE bra and prosthesis fitting service and information talks.
Every month we require over 350 volunteer hours to help run our services.
Because we rely solely on donations and fundraising events to keep our doors open, the support of the community is vital. With that in mind I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us in 2017, from fundraising events and corporate donations to private support and, of course, our many of in-house volunteers.
It is difficult to put into words just how much we value your ongoing support and generosity, which is as humbling as it is uplifting for everyone here at Recovery Haven Kerry.
As we look ahead to another challenging year and strive to maintain and evolve our services for those living with cancer and their families, we are hopeful that the people of Kerry will continue to support our endeavours.
Thank you most sincerely for your ongoing support,
Sincerely,
Siobhan MacSweeney (Manager), Recovery Haven Kerry,
5 Haig’s Terrace,
Tralee.