Cura to hold annual conference in Athlone

Athlone is to host the annual conference of Cura, the crisis pregnancy advice service. The event will take place on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel. The theme for this year's Cura conference is 'Engaging with Participation' and it will include the launch of the 'new look' Cura, including the new website. On Friday night, the speakers will include Bishop Gerard Clifford, President of Cura; Louise Graham, National Coordinator of Cura; Catherine Kelly, Cura counsellor in the new Blanchardstown Centre and former client of Cura who will outline the challenges facing a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and the benefit of crisis pregnancy support services; and, Stephanie O'Keeffe Director of the Health Service Executive's Crisis Pregnancy Programme. CURA, established by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference in 1977, provides a range of support services to anyone experiencing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. CURA can be contacted on Lo-Call 1850 622 626 and is funded by the HSE's Crisis Pregnancy Programme. There are 14 Cura centres and a number of outreach services throughout the country. CURA services include: