REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BRAY CANCER SUPPORT & INFORMATION CENTRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BRAY CANCER SUPPORT & INFORMATION CENTRE ON SATURDAY 30 MAY, 1998
The great fear that anybody who’s launching something has – is that it won’t work – or that it will sink without trace - leaving an array of embarrassed faces looking on in bewilderment. But the Bray Cancer Support & Information Centre has been well and truly tested – is fully functional - and is very much afloat – as we gather this morning to formally “open” or “launch” the centre – which provides such an important service for cancer patients – their families – and their friends.
Cancer has an ominous mystique about it. It has tended to be a source of fear and terror for people who know of someone who has been touched by it. Yet for sufferers, who have to come to grips with it in their lives – it is not always such an ogre. Fear is so often based on ignorance, lack of knowledge, and the worry that you’ll be left to cope alone. The tendency to look back to times when medical proficiency and treatments were not what they are today masks the immense work researchers have accomplished in combating the many forms of cancer. Indeed, the pace of advance in medical science and treatment is such that we are hearing almost daily - of new discoveries – and new perspectives on diseases which - a decade ago – were insurmountable problems. The scope for control, and treatment – the improvements in the quality of life of patients – have vastly improved in recent years. However it is undoubtedly a source of worry to sufferers and their families – who have many questions to be answered – who have needs in the area of support - and who can themselves play an important role in the treatment process.
Part of the shift in treatment has been in the area of information and the promotion of positive action on the part of both patients and carers. Attitude and outlook do make a difference. Today it is important to show people that they themselves can have a considerable impact – and make an important contribution to their own survival and recovery and that of their loved ones. The Bray Cancer Support & Information Centre is in keeping with that philosophy of information and support. The fact that the number of people who use their services – has increased so much since the Group was formed - is more a welcome reflection on the changes in attitude – than an increase in the number of cancer sufferers.
Since the Bray Cancer Support Group started in 1990 - the range of services has grown and expanded to meet the increasing demand for your services. By 1994 the group was able to open the Drop-In-Centre. In 1995 the Friends Up-Front support group was formed to cater for the needs of women with breast cancer. In 1996 the relaxation and stress management classes were introduced - and in 1997 the ‘Men Living with Cancer’ support group was formed. All these initiatives – coupled with the other services – like the library – the counselling and the - visiting services – mean that you now have a comprehensive range of facilities - covering the needs of most people who come in contact with the disease – and most importantly – you have made it possible for people to cope, and to believe in their own coping skills. You have also shown that in a very tangible way that they are not alone. There is help.
If you look at the development of the support group – and the growing range of services that are now available – you can see that the services and facilities have come about in response to changing needs and priorities – as awareness and understanding have increased – and people have seen the tremendous benefits to be derived from your services. Your success has been in your ability to meet the changing demands – to constantly look to new ways of helping people to cope – and to make people more aware of the treatments and relief available for cancer. For the future you will continue to meet new challenges and requirements – and to keep people aware of changing technologies and medications that can influence how they respond to and cope with the disease.
I know that there are many people who give of their time and energy on a voluntary basis – on the Support Centre Committee – and as coordinators of the various sub-groups – with home and hospital visiting – the fund-raising sub-committee – and the many advisors who work with and for the Group. In paying tribute to all of you on your excellent and valuable work – I would like to give special mention to Veronica – who has been in the pivotal role in the support group since its inception – as Coordinator and Chairperson. Her enthusiasm and drive have been an inspiration to many. All of you who give of your time, wisdom and energy deserve very profound thanks. You do not have to do it. Yet you do. Others lives are the better for your work. If you were not here lives would be the poorer and the lonelier.
In formally launching the Centre – I want to wish you well in your important and valuable work – as you continue to give support and reassurance to patients and families – and vital help to those who have to cope with Cancer in their lives.