10,000 protest against lack of cancer services in ‘forgotten county’

UP to 10,000 cancer patients, relatives and their friends marched in Co Donegal in protest at the area’s lack of cancer of services, which they blamed on their “geographic and political isolation”.

The mammoth demonstration took place despite bad weather and saw crowds gather at Letterkenny’s town park.

Organised by Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC), the rally took place four days before a meeting of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Dublin when it is expected that a decision will be made on whether to retain a temporary breast cancer surgeon at Letterkenny General Hospital.

Cancer sufferers in the North-West want Letterkenny General Hospital to be developed as a satellite cancer and radiotherapy centre so the need for patients to travel long distances can be minimised. They also want a commitment from the HSE that the existing unit won’t be downgraded and that a radiation oncologist will be appointed.

Earlier this year, the medical board of Letterkenny Hospital announced that the cancer services at Letterkenny General Hospital would be withdrawn on a phased basis from June 1.

DACC founding member Noelle Duddy said the group was demanding nothing but best practice and the best outcome for cancer patients.

“We want to live out our lives, for as long as possible, and for those of us for whom treatments have been exhausted, we want to die with dignity in the presence of our families and friends within our own community,” Ms Duddy said.

Consultant surgeon at Letterkenny General Hospital Kevin Moran recommended that Letterkenny General should join up with Galway to form a “virtual unit”. In March 2000, Professor Niall O’Higgins of the National Cancer Forum recommended that the hospital form a similar partnership with Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Mr Moran also stressed the need for a national audit of cancer services.

Children are also badly affected by the lack of investment in the region, according to DACC co-chairwoman Lynn McDevitt.

“The children of Donegal, who have to travel to Dublin for treatment, must get up at 2am to leave home before 4am so they can be in Dublin by 8am to have bloods taken. In this day and age that’s not on. We’re going to fight to make sure that we’re no longer the forgotten county. I would urge everyone here today to lobby their TDs to ensure that cancer patients in Donegal receive a bit of dignity,” Ms McDevitt said.