Taoiseach officially opens Cork cancer charity’s new home
Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened Sarsfield House, the new home of Cork ARC Cancer Support House, on Saturday. The premises has been developed with the aim to become a benchmark centre of excellence for the provision of non-clinical cancer support in Ireland.
Cork ARC Cancer Support House offers a range of support services to people with cancer and their families. The charity has seen a sharp increase in demand for their services, with over 10,881 individual supports delivered in 2021, and over 250 people making contact with the charity for the first time in 2021 - on top of their steady base of 1,500 regular users.
Touring the facility as part of their twentieth anniversary celebration and official opening, the Taoiseach was reminded of his instrumental role in the founding of Cork ARC Cancer Support House, and how it was his support that granted the charity their original premises, ‘Cliffdale’, in the city centre where the charity was based for nearly twenty years before demand for their services outgrew the facility.
PROVIDING SUPPORT
Speaking at the official opening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate twenty years of Cork ARC Cancer Support House in the community. I have followed their work closely for many years and regularly see the positive impact that Cork ARC has on so many lives. They are a pillar of support in our community.
“This new facility at Sarsfield House opening is a benchmark centre of excellence for cancer care in the community, providing support for patients, their loved ones and those working in oncology. Supports like those offered by Cork ARC Cancer Support House will continue to be extremely important for our communities.”
EXPANDED SERVICE
Cork ARC Cancer Support House has provided help, information and support to people with cancer and their families since 2003. Services include counselling, group therapies, physical therapies, bereavement support, mindfulness-based stress reduction, art therapy and more. Services are provided by qualified experts in oncology, clinical treatment and physical/mental therapies, as well as from a network of volunteers, many of whom have been through their own cancer journey.
Cork ARC relocated in 2019 to a state of the art 8,000 sq ft Sarsfield House, which has allowed the charity and the House to become a pinnacle of cancer care in the community. The move allowed the charity to significantly increase and expand their service offering in Cork city, however in-house services were quickly curtailed with the onset of Covid-19 shortly after their move to Sarsfield House.
The charity also operates a support centre in Bantry. Cork ARC Cancer Support House is a safe haven for people with cancer and their families. Visit www.corkcancersupport.ie to learn more.