Over €40k boost for Louth cancer support services

Photo Caption: Mary Quinn, Head of Service Operations, Irish Cancer Society; Susanne Odberger Kelly, Manager, Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre; Emer Quinlan, Fundraising Manager, Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre; and Edel Shovlin, Acting CEO, Irish Cancer Society. Photo credit: Andres Poveda Photography

The Irish Cancer Society and the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre have partnered to provide free counselling sessions across Louth, Meath and the surrounding area.  

The Irish Cancer Society presented €41,500 to Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre in 2025, contributing to the delivery of almost 700 free counselling services for people affected by cancer within the local community. 

In addition to free counselling, the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre provides a wide range of free emotional, psychological, and practical supports for people affected by cancer. 

These include one-to-one nursing support, complementary therapies such as reflexology, support groups, mindfulness and relaxation programmes, exercise and wellbeing classes, creative therapies, survivorship programmes, and information and education talks. 

The Centre supports people with a cancer diagnosis, those who have completed treatment, those living with incurable cancer, as well as family members and friends.

The Irish Cancer Society provides free remote counselling across the country, and by partnering with a network of 24 local cancer support centres, funding is provided to deliver free in-person counselling at a community level. In 2025, the Irish Cancer Society’s free nationwide counselling service provided almost 13,000 sessions through cancer support centres across the country. 

Mary Quinn, Head of Service Operations at the Irish Cancer Society says:  

 “1 in 2 of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime, and when we do, we deserve the best possible support to help us process and come to terms with our diagnosis. On top of the physical impact of cancer treatment, we know the emotional and psychological toll cancer can take on patients and their loved ones during and beyond their diagnosis.  

“Providing free counselling to patients, survivors and their family members is a crucial service for those affected by cancer. We are delighted to partner with Gary Kelly Cancer Care Centre to deliver these services in Louth. As well as offering our own remote counselling services, through our 24 local cancer support centre partners, the Irish Cancer Society funds vital free counselling services on the ground across Ireland. 

“We simply can’t be there for those patients and families without the generosity and support of the Irish public. Every €60 we can raise is a free counselling session for a patient or their loved one. Every euro of your support will help make a difference. That’s why we’re asking for your support this Daffodil Day, Friday 20th March.”

Susanne Odberger Kelly, Centre Manager at the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, says:

“Being diagnosed with cancer or supporting a loved one who has received a cancer diagnosis, can be incredibly difficult. Many people are reluctant to share their fears and worries with family or friends, often because they do not want to burden those closest to them. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and a sense that no one truly understands their experience.

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“By providing free counselling, we offer a safe and confidential space where clients can meet with an experienced counsellor who has supported people affected by cancer, and their families, for many years. This allows people to talk openly and receive professional support at a time when they need it most.

“A cancer diagnosis can also have a significant financial impact on individuals and families, which is why all of our services are provided free of charge. We are very grateful to the Irish Cancer Society for their continued support in funding free counselling services in our community, as access to timely, professional emotional support can make a real difference to how people cope during their cancer experience.”

To continue to provide these counselling sessions, donations can be made to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre Donate - The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre or to the Irish Cancer Society at cancer.ie.