Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cancer charity made such a Giant difference to us at hardest time of our lives
Family hails support after the tragic death of brave Cora, 15
IT was the most harrowing time of their lives as sister Cora bravely battled cancer.
But the Galway brothers were given incredible support from the Belfast Giants team and head coach Adam Keefe throughout their turmoil.
The family, from Belfast, were left shaken to their core when Cora was diagnosed with cancer around Christmas 2015 at the age of 15.
Her brothers Clark, Calvin, Casey and Caiden were left devastated when she passed away in September last year.
But thanks to the support of the Cancer Fund For Children and the Elite League ice hockey side, the brothers are smiling again.
Now the family are calling on people to take part in the charity’s Giant Coastal Challenge in September to help the staff who supported them in their darkest hour.
Mum Loretta said the support from the charity and the Giants was invaluable for her family during her daughter’s cancer diagnosis.
She added: “Cora was diagnosed with cancer around Christmas 2015, when she was 15.
“It was a couple of months later when we met our Cancer Fund For Children Specialist Neil.
“He visited us in the house, offering one-to-one support for Cora, and for our sons, Clark, Calvin, Casey and Caiden. He would take the boys out for the day sometimes, and they loved it. They knew they could talk to him about anything, and it was reassuring knowing they had someone they could share their worries with.
“Neil also arranged for us to do things together as a family. We got to spend time together at Daisy Lodge, Cancer Fund for Children’s short break centre in Newcastle.
“Cora absolutely loved it – it was so special to be able to get away somewhere together as a family, to relax and have fun.
“When Cora was terminally ill, her mobility was limited so these breaks really made a huge difference.
“After she passed away, we got to go back to Daisy Lodge as a family for a bereavement weekend. The staff are
BELFAST YESTERDAY
incredibly supportive and it’s so nice to be in a space with other families who understand what you have been through.
“Getting to go to Cancer Fund for Children’s Christmas party also made a huge difference to our boys.
“It gave them the opportunity to have a bit of fun and made them realise it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom without Cora, that they aren’t alone. “Some of our fondest memories though were the tickets provided by Cancer Fund for Children to go to Belfast Giants games.
“We got to know the team and head coach Adam Keefe has taken a lot of time with our kids over the past few years.
INSPIRING
“Adam himself has been hugely inspirational for our boys, inspiring our son Casey to follow in his footsteps and become a Junior Giant.
“He even went the extra mile and visited Casey’s school which made him feel special at such a hard time in his life.
“We are so grateful to Cancer Fund For Children and the Giants for everything they’ve done for our family. Losing a loved one is something you never get over, but the things they’ve done have helped us to cope better, stay positive and get on with life.”
The Cancer Fund for Children’s Giant Coastal Challenge will return on Sunday, September 16, and the charity is calling on people to take part in the 10-mile walk from the Giant’s Causeway to Carrick-a-rede.
Funds raised from the challenge will help Cancer Fund for Children to provide a range of practical, financial and therapeutic support to families whose lives have been devastated by a childhood cancer diagnosis.
To sign up go to www.cancerfundforchildren.com.