Galway Advertiser 2010/GA_2010_02_18/GA_1802_E1_029.pdf 

Extracted text

February 18 2010

www.advertiser.ie

N E W S 29

Cancer Care West Support Centre expands range of services
Cancer Care West's Cancer Support Centre opened its doors on the 1st of May, 2009 and since then has had over 3,000 visits by people including cancer patients and their families. The service is entirely confidential, free of charge and is open to the public from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. It is widely accepted that cancer patients and people affected by cancer require a variety of approaches to help them cope with the illness and its effects on family and friends. Over the next number of months we will be outlining the services offered by the Cancer Support Centre and how they can support people affected by a cancer diagnosis. This month's article focuses on the range of individual supports available at the centre, which include individual psychology consultations, oncology information, reflexology, massage and financial entitlements advice. Psychology consultations are provided by the two full time psychologists working at the centre. Dr. Helen Greally is the in-house clinical psychologist while Mr. David Shannon works as a counselling psychologist. Both Helen and David have worked for many years treating individuals who have experienced distress, anxiety and coping and relationship difficulties as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Two fully trained oncology nurses are also at hand in the Support Centre to offer a full range of oncology information and support to anyone affected by cancer. Nurse Elaine Doyle trained in Galway and completed her Oncology Nurse training at St. Vincents and University College Dublin. Nurse Martina Kenny trained in St. Vincents Hospital in Dublin and has worked in oncology in Dublin and Galway Hospitals. She obtained a Higher Diploma in Palliative Care Studies in 2006. Reflexology and massage sessions are provided to cancer patients by qualified cancer care therapists' at the centre. Massage and reflexology interventions are proven to be helpful when dealing with fatigue, nausea, constipation and insomnia. They also enhance general well being leading to increased feelings of relaxation. Every Thursday the centre also offers the services of a benefits advisor who can provide advice on financial entitlements available to cancer patients. Our advisor has many years of experience in advising on the range of social welfare supports which exist. If you would like to avail of any of these services or if you have any queries, please contact us on 091 540040 or at www.cancercarewest.ie

Timetable of activities, courses and events
Monday
Morning
Drop in all day (9am-5pm)

Tuesday
Drop in all day (9am-5pm)

Wednesday
Drop in all day (9am-5pm)

Thursday
Drop in all day (9am-5pm)

Friday
Drop in all day (9am-5pm)

*Individual Support Sessions Relaxation Class (11am - 12.30pm)

*Individual Support Sessions Weekly Support Group for Cancer Patients (10.30am - 12pm) *Massage Therapy - Individual Sessions Exercise Class 10.30am-12pm (every Tuesday)

*Individual Support Sessions *Reflexology - Individual Sessions Weekly Support Group for Family and Friends (10.30am - 12pm) *Nutrition Workshop (10.30pm - 12.30pm) a three week course

*Individual Support Sessions Benefits advice (10.30am - 12.30pm) *Reflexology - Individual Sessions Relaxation Class (11am-12.30pm)

*Individual Support Sessions Breast care fitting service last Friday of every month (10.30am -3.30pm) *Massage Therapy Individual Sessions Yoga Group - A gentle continuation (10.30pm - 12pm)

Afternoon

Yoga - A Beginners Group (2.45pm - 4.15pm)

*Mindfulness (2pm-4.30pm) An eight week course *Transition Support Group From treatment to wellness First two Tuesdays of every month (2.30pm-4.30pm) Craft Class (occassional) Tuesday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm.

Expressive Art Group (2.30pm - 4.30pm) OR Expressive Writing Group (2.00pm - 4.30pm)

*Managing Stress, Learning Relaxation and Visualisation Techniques (2pm-4.30pm) a four week course OR *Living with Cancer (2pm-4.30pm) a four week course OR *Reflexology Workshop

*Mindfulness Refresher Group 1pm-2pm (Friday)

Evening

Bereavement Support Group Second Monday of every month (Starting at 6pm)

Young Persons Support Group (18yrs - 35yrs) First Wednesday of every month at 6pm Breast Cancer Support Group Third Wednesday at 6pm

Brain Tumour Support Group (7.30pm - 9.30pm) Second Thursday of the month

Cancer Care Line 9am - 1pm Monday to Friday

* Requires Pre-Booking

Lending Library Available

Cancer Care West Support Centre 72 Seamus Quirke Road, Westside, Galway Free and Confidential Service - Call: 091 540040 www.cancercarewest.ie