Author: Hive Cancer Support

Irish Language RYR

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In March we launched an Irish language version of its popular children’s work shop.

Hive Cancer Support’s ‘Reduce Your Risk’ session teaches children about the health impact of our environment and ways to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.

It was first devised three years ago by Jacquie Loughry, Education & Prevention Officer at Hive Cancer Support, after the success of the ‘Reduce Your Risk’  work shop for adults.

Translating the work shop into Irish will help us fulfil our mission to provide cancer prevention information to all.

“This is another step forward for us in bringing our cancer prevention message to everyone,” said Jacquie. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate- it knows no borders or any one language and we can’t pick and choose what prevention risks to talk about.

“We have always prided ourselves in giving information on cancer prevention in all its forms.”

She continued: “We wanted to present the information at an age appropriate level, with information that was pertinent to children and young people age 10+ of all abilities.”

The children’s version of ‘Reduce Your Risk’ is aimed at pupils in P7 and above and was developed in consultation with teachers and students.

It shows the environmental and the health impacts of what we eat and drink and the products we use on our bodies.

The Reduce Your Risk sessions in Irish, which was translated by Ulster University student Sinead Magowan has been successfully piloted with pupils at Bunscoil Colmcille and are now available for booking.

Hive Cancer Support also deliver the adult version of ‘Reduce Your Risk’, female cancer awareness sessions and male cancer awareness sessions.

If you would like to book any of the Hive Cancer Support Awareness courses please contact Marianne Flood, Community Education and Marketing Assistant on mariannepinkladies@gmail.com

World Cancer Day Inishowen

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We’d like to say a huge thank you to our speakers, stall holders & guests for making our World Cancer Day event at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel such a resounding success!

It was fantastic to engage with people from across Donegal & hear their views on the current cancer services & what the future of cancer support should look like.

These findings are currently being complied into a report that will help inform services going forward.

Thank you to our speakers Dr Donohue of Cancer Care West, Elaine & Olive of Friends of Inishowen Hospice, lymphatic drainage expert Rionagh of the Inishowen Gateway Hotel and Sharon of the Triax ‘Better Together’ Project.

Their unique insight, knowledge and expertise sparked many important conversations in the room.

Our Family Support Team who shared how we help EVERYONE affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Our guests heard presentations from our Male Support Worker Martin, Family Support Worker Sean & Carers Support Worker Edele.

Our Family Support Team is based at our Creggan Hub on 2 Central Drive BT48 9QG.

Pop in for a chat or call us on 028 71 414 004.

World Cancer Day Conference 2024

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Hive Cancer Support World Cancer Day Conference, City Hotel, February 2, 2024

We were delighted to host our biggest ever World Cancer Day Conference at the City Hotel on February 2.

This year we decided to do things a little bit differently and ask our speakers to present a poster of their research findings to our guests.

This new approach helped people engage with the topics, ask questions and give immediate feedback to our researchers.

Thank you to our guest speakers- Kaycee Deery of St Mary’s College for her thought provoking research into eco friendly sun cream.

To Dr Pamela Magee for busting some common myths and misconceptions around soya and cancer.

To Dr Carrie Flannagan of Ulster University who presented the findings of the recent collaborative research into the mental health impact of cancer surgery, based on the personal stories of Hive Cancer Support members which inspired the #WeCarryOn mural.

To Professor Cherith Semple who presented on some of the latest cancer research taking place at Ulster University on topics such as the place of sexual wellbeing in cancer care & the unique needs of head & neck cancer patients.

And to Dr Jeff Hannah of Ulster University who presenting the findings of his PHD study findings into the needs of people in end of life cancer care & the important & challenging conversations that must be addressed.

Thank you also to Steve Wright, Vice President of the Fire Brigades Union who presented a poster on the DECON campaign to mitigate contamination in Fire Services nationwide, researcher Helen Lynn of Menstruation Matters who presented a poster aimed at raising awareness about the impacts of toxic chemicals and pesticides used in period products, and Dr Scott Jones, a restoration ecologist who presented a thought provoking presentation on the impacts of UK agricultural air pollution on human health.

The feedback from our guests was really brilliant, including one young student who told us it’s made her want to pursue a career in science!

The conference was the first time the findings of the Ulster University research project, led by Dr Claire McCauley and commissioned by Hive Cancer Support, into the mental health impact of cancer surgery were publicly presented.

And we also premiered a short film into the research process and the resulting creation of the ‘We Carry On’ mural on Derry’s Strand Road by Peaball graffiti collective.

We Carry On

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Research Reimagined: Ulster University’s Cancer Research Study with HIVE Support Group Transformed into Vibrant Street Art in Derry~Londonderry

Showcasing key findings using creative art aims to raise awareness of the mental health impact associated with cancer diagnosis and spark conversations around this key issue.