Cork ARC has a new home
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An Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened Cork ARC’s new home with Catriona O’Mahony, General Manager, ARC House, Ellen Joyce, ARC House and Prof. Seamus O’Reilly, Board member. Photos: Brian Lougheed LEFT: Helen Murphy and Mary Murray.Image 2 of 7
Helen Murphy and Mary Murray.Image 3 of 7
Mary Coghlan, Finola Laide and Teresa Pigott.Image 4 of 7
Sonya Lynch, service user, with Betty Penney and Karen O’Byrne.Image 5 of 7
Marie Joyce, Ellen Joyce and her daughter Sarah Lynch and granddaughter Seoige.Image 6 of 7
Sinead McNamara, board member; Michael McGrath TD and Cllr Audrey Buckley, deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork.Image 7 of 7
Aedamar and Cllr John Sheehan, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork, with Louise Nestor.A charity supporting people with cancer and their families has seen a sharp increase in demand for its services.
10,881 individual supports were delivered in 2021 by Cork ARC Cancer Support House and over 250 people contacted the charity for the first time in 2021, on top of its steady base of 1,500 regular users.
Cork ARC revealed the new figures as its new home, Sarsfield House, was officially opened which it hopes will become a benchmark centre of excellence for the provision of non-clinical cancer support in Ireland.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened Sarsfield House: “I’m delighted to be here 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.”
Co-Chairperson and one of the founding figures of Cork ARC, Prof. Seamus O’Reilly said: “We are grateful for the generosity of the people of Cork, whose donations have allowed the opening of our new cancer support house. The new facility provides cancer counselling and support to patients with cancer and their families free of charge - this expanded service is greatly needed as we recover from the pandemic.”
The charity also operates a support centre in Bantry.
The Bungalow was opened in April 2015 to support the people of West Cork who often have to travel long distances to Cork city for their treatment and may be unable to travel for the holistic support that can ease the burden of cancer.
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.