Livestock auction set to raise funds for cancer centre

Farmers in East Cork and West Waterford are planning a huge livestock auction to raise funds for a proposed cancer support centre in the region.

A farmers’ committee is seeking livestock donations for the event, scheduled to take place at Dungarvan Mart on Feb 25.

The auction will benefit Youghal Cancer Support Group and Centre, a voluntary body seeking to acquire a premises from which to provide emotional and practical support for cancer sufferers and their families.

The group was founded by Therese O’Connell, a cancer survivor from Youghal, Co Cork, who says that “cancer victims from rural communities face arduous and stressful journeys to Cork and Waterford cities to access support services”.

She recalls meeting 14 people from the Youghal area alone on a private bus service conveying patients to Waterford for radiotherapy.

Sanctioned by the HSE and officially recognised by the Irish Cancer Society, the Youghal Cancer Support Group and Centre liaises with similar support groups nationally.

It meets weekly at a temporary premises while efforts to acquire a permanent base include negotiations with Nama.

The support body intends to enhance its services to include general drop-in accessibility, shared information, transport, social events, and qualified counselling.

A holistic approach was also envisaged to include massage, meditation, yoga, and alternative therapies “that will fully conform to best medical practice and operate in conjunction with prescribed medical treatments”, said Ms O’Connell.

Anthony O’Driscoll from Youghal, chairman of the farmers’ committee, inaugurated the livestock auction after noting €32,000 raised by the group was primarily donated from within the urban area.

“The rural community also stands to benefit enormously from the centre,” he said, “so I believe the farming sector have a duty to contribute also.”

Mr O’Driscoll said farmers’ responses had been “overwhelmingly positive” so far.

“We will be knocking on doors throughout January and February. We’re seeking any animals that can be sold within or without the auction, or the monetary equivalent. Tillage farmers, vets, anyone connected to rural life is asked to donate whatever they can afford, though we fully accept too that not everyone may be able to do so these days.”

Youghal Cancer Support meets Thursdays at 7.30pm at 3 Emmet Place; Inquiries: 087 1677447; 087 273112. * Livestock auction details: Contact Anthony and Tina O’Driscoll on 024 92603 or 086 1744771.