£1m fundraising appeal to help NI cancer patients

Macmillan Cancer Relief, the charity that helps people living with cancer, has launched a £1million fundraising appeal to fund the development of a Macmillan Support and Information Centre based at Belfast City Hospital.

This will be the first purpose built centre of its kind in Northern Ireland, bringing together a wide range of services for people affected by cancer including:

• a drop-in cancer information zone
• complimentary therapies
• hairdressing and wig fitting
• financial and benefits advice
• support for carers
• counselling.

These services will be available to people affected by cancer from right across Northern Ireland, many of whom will be attending the City Hospital for treatment.

To make a donation, phone Macmillan Cancer Relief on 028 9066 1166.

The new centre will be located in Wilmot Terrace, one of Belfast’s best known listed buildings. It will open in parallel with the development of the new Northern Ireland Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital. The design of the building has been based on the views of several hundred patients from across Northern Ireland.

Heather Monteverde, General Manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief Northern Ireland said, “This new and exciting project will be a landmark in the development of cancer services in Northern Ireland, bringing together many existing services and developing new and innovative projects for the future. Macmillan Cancer Relief is delighted to be working with Belfast City Hospital Trust to provide the care, information and support that people affected by cancer so highly deserve .”

Madeline Mulgrew, a Macmillan patient commented, “I am delighted that this Centre is being developed. Many patients from rural areas find it extremely difficult to access information and support. Being able to get all the help you need when you are attending for treatment will be a real bonus to many patients and their families .”