*Cara Brady and Mary Nolan.
GORT Cancer Support Centre and Holly Blue House has for 17 years provided confidential cancer support to anybody affected by cancer in the South Galway & North Clare areas.
A cancer diagnosis can place a huge financial and emotional burden on families. Gort Cancer Support Centre aims to relieve even a fraction of this burden through the provision of free and confidential services to families and individuals with a cancer diagnosis.
The support centre welcomes anyone in need of their services completely free of charge. Whether someone needs physical therapy, talk therapy, or a safe social space to help them deal with the difficulties which come with a cancer diagnosis, The Gort Cancer Support Centre aims to help in any way that they can.
Based in a set of renovated semi-detached houses, the centre’s 40 volunteers and professional fa- cilitators, strive to create a comforting homely environment to support the community.
Mary Nolan, a long-term volunteer who helped to establish the centre in 2007 and Cara Brady, the centre manager spoke to The Clare Echo about their ongoing dedication to providing the essential services.
Mary explained that the idea for the centre came about when a woman from Gort was traveling 35 minutes to attend a similar centre in Tuam. This woman’s sister along with a small group of local ladies involved in the Gort Lions Club set up the Gort Cancer Support Centre in 2007.
Starting out with two small rooms in the GRETB building the demand for services quickly outgrew the small space, and in 2010, the Centre purchased a semi-detached house near the square with the help of a generous donation of a couple in Manchester. Even with the extra room, the centre still needed more space to be able to facilitate all of its services.
Through a combination of fundraising efforts, community support, and a loan from Clann Credo, they were able to buy the property next door and continue to expand.
“Between our own fundraising and a massive contribution from local businesses and individuals, we managed to clear our mortgage by February 2022,” says Mary. “It’s a testament to the generosity of the Gort community that we’ve been able to provide free services for so many”.
The centre now fills two renovated semi-detached houses which now comprises two physical treatment rooms, a dedicated play therapy room, a multi-purpose therapy room, a quiet room, a sensory garden, an art studio, a kitchen and a comfortable living room for group sessions.
Although they are based in Gort the Cancer Support Centre extends its services to people and families across Clare and Limerick. They provide help and support to people of all ages with the youngest attendees aged four years old and the oldest being in her 90s.
The Gort Cancer Support Centre is deeply committed to offering its services free of charge. For many, a cancer diagnosis comes with a huge emotional and financial burden. The Centre’s approach is to provide a wide range of services at no cost, ensuring that no one has to choose between care and the expenses that come with treatment.
Professional services offered at the Centre include counselling, complementary therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture, lymphoedema management, and even post-mastectomy fittings.
One of the Centre’s most important services is its driving program, which offers volunteer drivers to take patients to and from hospitals, ensuring they can access treatment without the stress of navigating public transport. “We’re in a rural area, and many of our clients have compromised immune systems, making it risky to travel on public transport,” says Mary. “Our driving service is a lifeline for them.”
While professional therapies are at the core of the support centre’s offerings, it also provides a welcoming, safe environment where people can socialise and relax.
Activities like chair yoga, art therapy, music groups, and peer support meetings are held regularly. These activities offer a space where individuals can not only receive support but also connect with others who understand their experience. “Sometimes, people just need somewhere to feel safe, to sit down with a cup of tea, or to chat with others,” explains Cara. “It’s about creating a community where people don’t feel isolated”.
The Centre also hosts a peer support group, which allows patients to meet others in similar circumstances. “It’s often the case that one person might mention something they learned at the hospital, and another might not know about it,” says Cara. “It’s a great way to learn from each other”.
Despite its success and growing reputation, the Centre faces ongoing challenges.The reliance on public donations means that the Centre’s future is never guaranteed and the team is always concerned about maintaining funding. The Gort Cancer Support Centres main steady stream of income, although according to Cara it isn’t always very steady, is the Holly Blue House Shop. This Shop is located in the back of the building and is open to the public. It is filled with unopened gifts or unused items all donated by members of the community.
While the Centre does receive some support from the HSE, it’s not enough to cover its full operating costs, which last year amounted to over €120,000.
“The challenge is that we depend so heavily on the generosity of the community,” says Mary. “If people ever stop donating, it would have a huge impact. We are a small, independent charity, and we don’t receive any guaranteed state funding.”
Even so, the Centre remains optimistic, thanks to its loyal network of volunteers and donors. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” says Mary. “And we’re seeing more and more people coming to us, especially younger people, which shows that the need is still growing”.
The Gort Cancer Support Centre is not just a place for medical care; it’s a space where healing happens in many forms. For clients and their families, it’s a sanctuary of understanding, care, and support. And for the volunteers, it’s a chance to make a real difference in the lives of others. The Centre is a reminder of the power of community, the importance of volunteerism, and the incredible impact of compassionate care. It’s a place where people come to find strength, share their journey and know that they are never alone.
For more information about the Gort Cancer Support Centre and how you can support their work, visit their website or contact them directly. Donations and volunteers are always welcome to help continue the Centre’s life-changing work.
