A quarter of clients of local cancer support centre come from Athlone

Over a quarter of clients who used the services of Ballinasloe Cancer Support Centre this year were from the Athlone area, according to a new breakdown of figures.

Established over a decade ago, the centre located at Cullen's Yard, Main Street in Ballinasloe provides a psychological and emotional support service for people diagnosed with cancer and their families. It also operates a free and confidential service which includes counselling, bereavement support and other complimentary therapies like reflexology, acupuncture and holistic massage therapy.

A first study of where the clients who access their services was undertaken this year, and the results show the highest proportion, 30.76%, come from Ballinasloe, 25.64% from Athlone and Loughrea at 20.51%.

The balance, or just over 23% are classified as other, coming from West Offaly, South Galway, South Roscommon and North Galway.

Due to fundraising last Christmas and other events throughout the year, Ballinasloe Cancer Support Centre were able to bring back some therapies and introduce some new ones in 2023.

The facility will send out their Christmas appeal letters in early December and are hopeful local businesses will support them again this year so that services can be maintained and improved next year.

The centre is non-profit organisation that relies entirely on fundraising and donations with help from the local CE schemes.