The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Lollipop Day volunteers do the biz for Oesophageal Cancer
ONE of Ireland’s favourite and most famous golfers, Pádraig Harrington is the patron of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF).
Though its street awareness campaign fundraiser is being flagged as ‘Lollipop Day’ it was held over two days at the weekend on Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4.
Castleisland played its part and the engine room of the effort was based at Lynch’s Pharmacy on Lower Main Street.
The local effort was bolstered by the enthusiastic involvement of Transition Year Students from St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s Secondary Schools and by their peers from Castleisland Community College.
A pink lollipop is the emblem of the campaign and this highlights the most common symptom of suspicion of oesophageal cancer – a difficulty with swallowing.
Thousands of volunteers sold lollipops throughout Ireland on Lollipop Day to help raise funds on behalf of OCF and ensure we continue to raise vital funds.
The Oesophageal Cancer Fund, was established in 2001 and it is a registered charity and voluntary organisation, which has grown to be the national voice representing oesophageal cancer in Ireland.
Its aim is to raise awareness of the symptoms related to oesophageal cancer and to provide funding for research into the disease.
The primary goals of the fund are to develop and improve public awareness and understanding of oesophageal cancer.
To date OCF has invested €1 million in awareness driving campaigns to increase the public’s knowledge of the symptoms that can be early warning signs. About 450 cases of oesophageal cancer occur in Ireland each year.
Approximately 70 per cent of patients have oesophageal cancer symptoms for more than three months before talking to their GP.
The OCF wants to change this as early detection can be vital in saving lives. To find out more about the Oesophageal Cancer Fund you can do so by logging onto:
www.lollipopday.ie