Leading charity Macmillan Cancer Support held the first in a week-long series of open days today (Monday 27 November) at its new support and information centre, to allow the public, medical professionals and fundraisers the chance to see the unique facility before it opens in a few weeks time.
Work on the support centre, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, was completed recently and it services will be operational from mid-December to help cancer patients and their families from all over Northern Ireland.
The Macmillan Support and Information Centre has been developed at Wilmot Terrace, adjacent to the new cancer centre at Belfast City Hospital. It incorporates three of the listed terrace houses into a new modern building.
Macmillan says that the new centre will provide support and information to the 40,000 people living with cancer across Northern Ireland, many of whom will be attending the City Hospital for treatment. A wide of services will be available, including:
-
A drop in cancer information zone
-
Complimentary therapies
-
Hairdressing and wig fitting
-
Financial and benefits advice
-
Carer support
-
Counselling
Heather Monteverde, Macmillan’s General Manager for Northern Ireland, commented: “Every day, between 20 and 30 of us living in Northern Ireland will receive a cancer diagnosis. Within a few short weeks anyone with concerns regarding cancer will be able to walk in off the street and ask for help at our new centre.”
“When you fear you or a loved one are affected by cancer, it is difficult to know what the first step should be, who to ask and where to go for help. The Macmillan Support and Information Centre will provide this support and staff at the unit will be able to help answer these questions.”
Ms Monteverde added; “The centre has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, giving people the chance to escape the rigours of cancer treatment.”
The Macmillan Cancer Support centre is an innovative project, bringing together local cancer charities including Action cancer and Ulster Cancer Foundation who are funding services within the centre. The design of the building was based on the views of several hundred patients from across Northern Ireland.
For media enquiries please contact Joe Braden-Astbury on 028 4461 9151 / 07769 655639.