A major event for people affected by cancer is taking place in Donegal this May to raise awareness of local supports and to raise funds for local charities.

‘Let’s talk aAbout Cancer’, a morning of music and chat has been confirmed for the Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon for Saturday 13th May. 

The event will be hosted by former RTE news correspondent Tommie Gorman and will feature a number of special guests – many of whom will have encountered cancer at some stage in their lives.

Guests include singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy, Relay for Life ambassador Majella O’Donnell, RTE’s Evelyn O’Rourke, adaptive adventurer Nikki Bradley, former Leitrim goalkeeper Martin McHugh, Irish Cancer Society’s Corrinne Hassen and leading surgeon Martin Caldwell from Sligo University Hospital.

The event is being organised by local man Paul McLoone, a six times cancer survivor himself. It is been run in conjunction with Solace Cancer Support Service Donegal Town, Relay for Life Donegal, Sligo Cancer Support Centre and the Irish Cancer Society.

Organiser Paul McLoone

“The range and level of support services provided by the voluntary sector here in the North West is second to none and is one of the reasons I am still alive today,” states Paul McLoone.

“Not everyone avails of these services but we must keep reaching out to help others and give every assistance we can during a difficult period in their lives.

“I was reminded of this when Roslyn Dee wrote an article in late November stating that 45,000 people in Ireland receive a cancer diagnosis every year. She put it very succinctly when she said ‘let’s not forget all the thousands of people quietly living their lives while dealing day in and day out with this devastating disease. They too, deserve our recognition, respect and every possible kind of support that we can give them.”

The event in Ballyshannon and the awareness campaign surrounding it will simply remind people in Donegal that help and assistance is available locally should they choose to avail of it.

The Relay for Life survivor’s choir will open proceedings at 10.15am with the brilliant Diarmaid McGee and Dean James also performing. Brian Kennedy will sing a number of hits from his magnificent repertoire before the scheduled conclusion at 1.15pm. 

The event is being supported by Healthy Donegal, the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme with DLDC and by Coloplast Healthcare company. Tickets are on sale from Mon March 13th at www.abbeycentre.ie and all proceeds will be donated to local cancer charities.