10th anniversary event at Daisy Lodge

10th anniversary event at Daisy Lodge

30 October 2024

THE Cancer Fund for Children hosted a special event to mark a decade of therapeutic support at  its award-winning Daisy Lodge facility at the foothills of the Mournes.

The event also coincided with the launch of a new services model with past and present service users joined by Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, MLAs and representatives from the statutory and voluntary sector and corporate supporters.

They gathered together to recognise the impact 10 years of therapeutic short breaks have had for families impacted by cancer.  

Guests heard from a range of speakers including mum of three Ellen Vance whose eldest son Todd was diagnosed with Glioma in 2010 when he was just nine years old. 

Todd underwent 92 weeks of chemotherapy treatment and was one of the first children to stay in Daisy Lodge along with his family.

The highly acclaimed facility opened in October 2014 and, since then, has welcomed 4,000 families for therapeutic short breaks, often during times of significant distress, upheaval, and uncertainty.

Feedback from families supported by Cancer Fund for Children has found that time spent together at Daisy Lodge has helped them connect as a family, feel heard, gain support from others in similar situations and benefit from much0needed rest and relaxation.

The charity’s residential services manager, Raph O’Connor, said the organisation can’t believe it is celebrating the 10th birthday of Daisy Lodge.

“We want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped us get to this point. From businesses to community groups and individuals, the support we have received and the generosity and kindness we have experienced has completely blown us away,” he said.

“Families travel from across the island of Ireland to experience the restorative atmosphere Cancer Fund for Children provides here but, unfortunately, for each family we can support, there are another six we cannot.”

Raph revealed there are currently 370 families on the waiting list to come and stay at the facility near Bryansford which is why it’s excited to be building a second Daisy Lodge in Co Mayo where work starts early next year. 

“Once operational, we will be able to reduce waiting time and better serve those who need our support,” he added.

The Cancer Fund for Children’s Director of Services, Neil Symington, said that over the past 10 years, it has continued to learn, listen and sensitively develop services in direct response to the needs of children and young people. 

“Today, we are proud to launch our organisational ‘model of practice’ based on their feedback. The model outlines our approach to service delivery and its purpose which is to connect, nurture, understand and empower. Our new model will guide the support we provide to young people across the island of Ireland impacted by cancer, now and in the future.”

Mr Nesbitt said it was a pleasure to be invited to mark the 10th anniversary of Daisy Lodge. 

“The opportunities provided here for young people to connect with other families and peers facing the same challenges can be invaluable in helping them to cope with the effects of living with cancer,” he said.

 “I want to recognise the excellent work of the staff of Cancer Fund for Children, without whose passion and dedication to improving the lives of people with cancer, none of this would be possible.”

Mr Nesbitt added: “The charity’s person-centred approach, focusing on the power of relationships, connections, compassion and flexibility, aligns closely with my Department’s vision for shaping cancer services for young people.”

Leslie Michell, assistant director of nursing within cancer services at the Western Health Trust, closed the event by reinforcing the importance of collaboration between the statutory and voluntary sector and the need for cancer services provided by charities like Cancer Fund for Children.