Damian urges support for Charis in memory of his late wife Pat

Damian told the Sentinel that Pat, who was aged just 54 when she passed away just two months ago, derived a lot of comfort and support at the Charis Cancer Care centre, a little corner of peace tucked away near Lough Fea in the Sperrins, during her illness.

“We went up to it a lot over the past year of her life,” said Damian. “It was very good for Pat and myself, a place to get away from all the hospital appointments, the stress and the strains, you know.”

He added: “The staff were brilliant, they got to know Pat and her particular needs and they provided great support.”

Damian said the tranquillity Pat found on the trips down to Lough Fea from their Bolea home was proof positive of the invaluable service Charis provides.

He’s asking people across the North West to vote for the Charis Care Centre from 9am on Monday (November 24) and help it secure £50,000 from the People’s Millions.

Charis Cancer Centre’s ‘New Ways of Thinking’ initiative is one of the projects that has been shortlisted.

“It’s a very, very worthy cause and I’d have no hesitation in asking people to vote for it,” said Damian. “I’d also encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to what we were in to go and try it.”

Charis supports cancer patients by providing body therapies such as massage, aromatherapy and reflexology, counselling, advice on benefit entitlements and nutritional advice.

Therapists and tutors work with the person as a whole, ensuring they benefit from advice and treatments which are free of charge.

Cookstown singer songwriter Justin McGurk, who hails from just down the road from the centre, is also urging people to vote.

He wrote a song a few years ago called ‘If I Could Take Your Place’ when his wife Roisin was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Justin said they were fearful of the future, but both benefitted immensely from the help and support of local charity Charis.

He said: “After Roisin’s Cancer diagnosis there was a period of real fear and uncertainty about the future. When we were introduced to Charis Cancer Care, we benefited immensely from the services they offered.

“Charis provided us with holistic therapies such as Reflexology and Massage, counselling and dietary advice. One patient summed it up by saying after finding Charis; cancer no longer dominated my thoughts.”

Imelda McGucken, Director of Charis Cancer Centre said: “It is a fantastic achievement for Charis Cancer Centre to have been shortlisted in the People’s Millions TV Contest.

“Though now that we’ve managed to reach this stage, we really need the support of local people to help us successfully compete and secure vital funding for a project that is focused on helping local people who are coping with cancer.

“For those who may not be familiar with this fund or the process that goes with it, two projects are identified to go head to head every night for three nights from Monday, November 24.

“The Charis Cancer Centre ‘New Ways of Thinking’ initiative will feature in the first broadcast on Monday 24 November alongside the ‘Build a Beach’ Project which is linked to the Titanic Foundation.

“A short video will be shown about Charis Cancer Centre and the ‘Build a Beach’ project. The public will then be asked to vote for the project that they would like to receive the award via a phone vote.

“The number that people will be asked to ring will be featured in the TV programme but it will also be published in the Mirror on Monday, November 24. Votes are counted and then the results will be announced the following day.”

Imelda adds: “I would ask everyone to actively get involved and grasp the opportunity that exists to help secure vital funding that will make a tangible difference to individuals that are coping with the impact of cancer on their lives. Voting lines are open from 9am on the morning of the broadcast until midnight and we need everyone to pick up the phone and vote.

“Since first opening its doors to the public in March 2010, Charis has helped in excess of 2,300 people with their cancer journey. It costs approximately £500 to pay for each individual’s treatment at the centre. So, if the charity were successful in winning the £50,000 prize, this would mean that the organisation could help 100 people on their cancer journey.

“Charis Cancer Care is based close to Cookstown and we currently work with people across Northern Ireland offering a range of services covering financial and benefits advice, counselling and nutritional advice and body therapies, reflexology, massage and aromatherapy. In addition the charity also provides advice on specialist services such as wig fitting.”

Charis Cancer Centre Patron, Jenny Bristow says: “This funding will benefit people at all stages of their cancer journey. Charis can broaden the services offered to patients coping with diagnosis, detection and treatment.

“The programme has been designed to complement rather than replace orthodox cancer treatments with the aim of providing physical, psychological and emotional support through the relief of symptoms.

“Many of the activities are included to help patients cope with stresses caused by cancer and its treatments, providing a relaxing environment which helps raise spirits and esteem at times when people feel low.

“‘Touch therapies’ such as massage and reflexology and ‘mind body therapies’ covering relaxation and visualisation are available within the centre but rarely on a group basis where people with similar circumstances and needs can benefit from one another as opposed to in isolation with a therapist.

“The funding will make a huge difference to service delivery over the next twelve months and will help broaden the services already offered.

“The Charis Cancer Centre will be providing updates in the run up to the funding showdown on social media outlets. Lend your support to this really worthy cause by using the #votecharis. When the phone number becomes available we will add this onto the hashtag. Everyone can play a role in helping to secure funding and we really value your support.”

The charity receives no funding from any of the statutory bodies. All of the finance to run the organisation is obtained through fundraising events run by the local community.