*Veronica Byrne.
RELAY FOR Life Clare takes place this Saturday in Tim Smythe Park in Ennis.
This is part of continuing its mission of raising funds for cancer research, increasing awareness for organisations such as the Irish Cancer Society, and celebrating the resilience of cancer survivors, their families, and dedicated volunteers.
One such volunteer is Veronica Byrne, her twelve years of commitment exemplifies the true spirit of community support.
Veronica has been a volunteer driver with the Irish Cancer Society since 2013. Her journey into volunteering was sparked by a desire to give practical and emotional support to those battling cancer. “The Irish Cancer Society had a campaign looking for volunteer drivers at the time because the service was quite new, it was mainly Dublin-centered, and they were launching it in Galway and Limerick, so they were looking for drivers in the Mid-West area,” she explained to The Clare Echo.
As a student pursuing a master’s degree at the time, Veronica appreciated how flexible the service was and felt she could easily fit the volunteering into her schedule. “It meant that when I dropped patients, I had a long wait because with chemo appointments, which can last up to a full day,” she explains. “People might need to be there at 8 a.m., and sometimes it’s five or six in the evening when they finish. I could go to the library at NUIG while they had their treatment, and it fit seamlessly into my schedule”.
Veronica works for Chartered Accountants Ireland. Her employment plays a significant role in enabling her to dedicate time to volunteering by actively supporting her and her fellow employees’ involvement in community initiatives. “They’re very supportive of volunteering.”
The Transport Service organises transport to and from the hospital for cancer patients undergoing treatment who do not have any means of transport themselves. The service is offered nationwide and is entirely delivered by volunteer drivers, under the supervision of the transport team within the Irish Cancer Society.
“Some people have very practical reasons for needing this service,” she notes. “For example, one person I’ve taken several times is on long-term treatment, and their illness prevents them from driving. Their partner doesn’t drive, so friends/family would have to use their annual leave or rely on taxis, which can become expensive and hard to access in rural areas”.
Veronica explained that for some patients availing of the service means taking away the burden of driving themselves to the hospital for appointments.
“Imagine if you have to be up at 6 because you have to be at the hospital for 8am, then you have to sit through a full day of treatment in a warm hospital room and then you have to get back into your car and face traffic on your way home, I mean it would just be overwhelming.”
The essential service provided by Veronica and other volunteer drivers also ensures patients’ safety when travelling to and from hospital appointments. For those living in larger cities their only other option may be to take public transport. As some treatments can compromise a person’s immune system, taking public transport regularly in order to attend appointments is not safe or practical. Veronica explained that every driver is provided with sanitising supplies and is encouraged to clean down seats and arm rests before providing lifts to ensure the users are safe during the journey.
Veronica’s role as a volunteer driver involves more than just transportation; it’s about offering companionship and a friendly presence during what can be a stressful time.
“It’s a lovely experience. People are delighted to meet someone new. If you are travelling with the same person everyday or maybe a family member, the conversation may be quite focused on the appointment, but as with meeting anyone new for the first time, in a small situation in my car, it’s just about general life. About their children, holidays, absolutely anything” explained Veronica.
She emphasises the importance of respecting a patient’s privacy throughout the process. “If they want to share about their illness or treatment, that’s entirely up to them. It’s their journey, and I don’t ask questions. And it is their journey so I don’t harp on about any experience I have or why I volunteer for the cancer society. It’s not about me, it’s about them”.
Although her volunteer work provides invaluable aid to people undergoing cancer treatment Veronica believes that she gets more out of the journey than she puts in.
“You get to meet some lovely people. It’s very rewarding to be part of something like that whilst being able to provide something just really practical” says Veronica.
Beyond her volunteer driver role, Veronica is actively involved in Relay for Life Clare. “I’ve been part of the driver team for the relay before and I will be taking part again this year. “It’s about raising awareness, showing solidarity, and supporting people both volunteers and patients.” She describes the event as having a warm, community feel; “It’s like something you’d see in a small village, a fete or community gathering. It really embodies the spirit of togetherness.”
There are many ways to contribute to Relay for Life Clare. Whether through volunteering, fundraising, or simply spreading awareness, every effort helps make a difference.
Relay for Life Clare is encouraging everyone in County Clare to get involved. You can register a team or as a survivor to take part in the relay. People can also purchase a Candle of Hope to dedicate to a loved one who has passed on. For those who cannot attend on the day can donate online at relayforlifeennis.ie.
