Irish Cancer Society partners with Dóchas Offaly to offer free counselling to cancer patients

The Irish Cancer Society and Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group have partnered to provide 234 free counselling sessions across Offaly in 2025. 

The Irish Cancer Society presented €21,500 to Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group to deliver free counselling services which can be availed by cancer patients, survivors and their family members.

In addition to the 234 counselling services funded by the Irish Cancer Society, Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group funded 483 counselling sessions and 134 sessions of Play Therapy.

The community-based cancer support centre in the Faithful County also provides a large range of services including Reflexology, Oncology Massage, Physiotherapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Chiropody, Support Groups (including Women, Men and Bereavement Support) and Survivorship programme.

Mary Quinn, Head of Service Operations at the Irish Cancer Society said: "We are delighted to partner with Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group to deliver these services in Offaly.

As well as offering our own remote counselling services, through our 24 local cancer support centre partners, the Irish Cancer Society funds vital free counselling services on the ground across Ireland."

John Conroy, Service Manager Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group stated: "We are very grateful to the Irish Cancer Society for this funding, which helps support us in providing free, accessible counselling to people affected by cancer across Offaly and the wider midlands region.

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On a national scale across 2025, the Irish Cancer Society’s free counselling service provided almost 13,000 sessions through cancer support centres across the country. 

The Irish Cancer Society provides free remote counselling across the country, and by partnering with a network of 24 local cancer support centres, funding is provided to deliver free in-person counselling at a community level.

These organisations are adamant that it is absolutely integral that those who are given a cancer diagnosis are offered the best support and service possible to help them.

Mary Quinn reflected: "1 in 2 of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime, and when we do, we deserve the best possible support to help us process and come to terms with our diagnosis.

On top of the physical impact of cancer treatment, we know the emotional and psychological toll cancer can take on patients and their loved ones during and beyond their diagnosis."

She added: "Providing free counselling to patients, survivors and their family members is a crucial service for those affected by cancer."

John Conroy from Dóchas Offaly echoed the same sentiments as he explained: "A cancer diagnosis impacts far more than physical health, and the availability of professional emotional support close to home makes a real difference to people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis and their families."