‘CANCER CONNECT’ BUS TAKES OFF
‘CANCER CONNECT’ SERVICE OF HUGE VALUE TO FAMILIES
A DUHALLOW family who were devastated when their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer got great support from a new North Cork service, Cancer Connect, which transports patients from their home to CUH for free.
Grace Shevlin of Nadd told The Corkman that her family were devastated when her mother, Kathleen O’Shea was diagnosed with breast cancer. The family were at CUH when a consultant mentioned to them that a free service, Cancer Connect, would help her mother get to her treatment.
“We had never heard of Cancer Connect and like all things, it is only when it happens to your family that you realise what services are around you to help you,” said Grace.
“Cancer Connect is relatively new to North Cork and they really helped my mother. She got to know all the drivers who work voluntarily as well as the passengers as each of them were going to CUH for treatment,” shee added.
“Cancer Connect was a brilliant service for my mom as she still had her independence. Everyone was so lovely to her on the bus and the day before she would go to CUH, she would get a reminder call about her pick up time. We couldn’t thank them enough,” she said.
Grace said as part of her get fit regime, she signed up for the Limerick half marathon on April 13, which coincidentally was the very day when Kathleen finished her last radiotherapy session at CUH.
On the application form was a question if the participant wanted to do the run for a charity. With Cancer Connect in mind, Grace phoned her mother and asked her would she do it for Cancer Connect. With a wide approval, Grace signed up and aimed to raise €1,000 by the day of her challenge on Sunday, April 30 in Limerick.
While it was a short window to raise the money, Grace made it across the line on the day of the Limerick half marathon and also went slightly above her target and raised €1,021.70.
Steve Ellis, a co-ordinator at Cancer Connect said they began their North Cork service in November 2016. While it is still evolving, he said they will travel to “where ever we are needed.”
Since 2011, they have travelled all over West Cork. In North Cork, so far their service goes from Rockchapel to Newmarket, Kanturk, Banteer, Nadd, Donoughmore and then to CUH. Cancer Connect leaves their leaflets about their service at CUH.
“It’s very important when a person is diagnosed with cancer that they have some comfort in knowing that they can get to their treatment with as little fuss as possible,” he said.
Fellow co-ordinator Helen O’Driscoll told The Corkman that so far in North Cork there has been 52 passenger journeys who have used their service. However, since it began six years ago, it has made 18,500 passenger journey’s.
“While we are still relatively new in North Cork, we are making in-roads and more people are hearing about our service. It is also important to note that the money very kindly raised by Grace will stay in North Cork and will greatly help our service to who ever needs us,” she said.