NOT FOR PROFIT: Community care and a ‘human touch’
Kingscourt Cancer Care was founded back in 2006 by Agnes along with two other ladies - Amanda Ramsay and Victoria Roundtree. They had observed the concept of charity support groups setting up elsewhere and helping people in their community going through cancer, and felt a similar service was needed in their own local area.
“The rest as they say is history,” says Agnes Clarke, who serves as current secretary to KCC.
The organisation today plays a crucial role in providing much-needed compassionate assistance to persons facing the emotional, physical, and financial challenges of a devastating cancer diagnosis.
KCC offers a variety of support services. Each are aimed at easing the burden on those cancer patients as well as their loved ones. They include transportation to and from medical appointments, a lifeline to those who otherwise may not have access to reliable transport. It means that patients can attend vital treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other medical consultations without the added stress of worrying about how to get there.
Agnes says the lack of public transport connecting Kingscourt town to tertiary healthcare sites spurred the voluntary group on. She adds to that “the human touch, a little bit of kindness goes a long way with someone in need.”
KCC also works closely with local medical professionals to ensure patients are aware of and can access all available resources.
“It's going well. We've got bigger and better, with more on our committee. We have a little charity shop as well that supports our services. We also have a great community here in Kingscourt who recognise the work we do and good it does for the people who we work with,” says Agnes.
Through its compassionate and practical approach, KCC has become a vital resource for those affected by cancer in the North East of the county. Their continued commitment to easing the burden of cancer on patients and their families is a testament to the power of community-driven care.
The local group are “honoured” to have been nominated for a Business & Tourism Award.
Contact Us
Contact Agnes in confidence on 042-9667231.