The Irish Cancer Society has partnered with the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre to provide free counselling sessions for people affected by cancer across Louth, Meath and surrounding areas.
In 2025, the Irish Cancer Society presented €41,500 to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, supporting the delivery of almost 700 free counselling sessions for people impacted by cancer within the local community.
Alongside counselling, the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre provides a wide range of free emotional, psychological and practical supports. These include one to one nursing support, complementary therapies such as reflexology, support groups, mindfulness and relaxation programmes, exercise and wellbeing classes, creative therapies, survivorship programmes, and information and education talks. Support is available to people with a cancer diagnosis, those who have completed treatment, those living with incurable cancer, as well as family members and friends.
The Irish Cancer Society provides free remote counselling nationwide and works in partnership with a network of 24 local cancer support centres to fund free in person counselling at community level. In 2025, the Society’s nationwide counselling service delivered almost 13,000 sessions through cancer support centres across Ireland.
Mary Quinn, Head of Service Operations at the Irish Cancer Society, said:
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.
Providing free counselling to patients, survivors and their family members is a crucial service for those affected by cancer. We are delighted to partner with Gary Kelly Cancer Care Centre to deliver these services in Louth. 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. We simply can’t be there for those patients and families without the generosity and support of the Irish public. Every €60 we can raise is a free counselling session for a patient or their loved one. Every euro of your support will help make a difference. That’s why we’re asking for your support his Daffodil Day, Friday 20th March.”
Susanne Odberger Kelly, Centre Manager at the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, said:
“Being diagnosed with cancer or supporting a loved one who has received a cancer diagnosis, can be incredibly difficult. Many people are reluctant to share their fears and worries with family or friends, often because they do not want to burden those closest to them. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and a sense that no one truly understands their experience.
By providing free counselling, we offer a safe and confidential space where clients can meet with an experienced counsellor who has supported people affected by cancer, and their families, for many years. This allows people to talk openly and receive professional support at a time when they need it most.
A cancer diagnosis can also have a significant financial impact on individuals and families, which is why all of our services are provided free of charge. We are very grateful to the Irish Cancer Society for their continued support in funding free counselling services in our community, as access to timely, professional emotional support can make a real difference to how people cope during their cancer experience.”
Donations to support the continuation of these counselling services can be made to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre or to the Irish Cancer Society through cancer.ie.
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for people affected by cancer across Louth, Meath and surrounding areas.
In 2025, the Irish Cancer Society presented €41,500 to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, supporting the delivery of almost 700 free counselling sessions for people impacted by cancer within the local community.
Alongside counselling, the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre provides a wide range of free emotional, psychological and practical support. These include one to one nursing support, complementary therapies such as reflexology, support groups, mindfulness and relaxation programmes, exercise and wellbeing classes, creative therapies, survivorship programmes, and information and education talks. Support is available to people with a cancer diagnosis, those who have completed treatment, those living with incurable cancer, as well as family members and friends.
The Irish Cancer Society provides free remote counselling nationwide and works in partnership with a network of 24 local cancer support centres to fund free in person counselling at community level. In 2025, the Society’s nationwide counselling service delivered almost 13,000 sessions through cancer support centres across Ireland.
Mary Quinn, Head of Service Operations at the Irish Cancer Society, said:
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.
Providing free counselling to patients, survivors and their family members is a crucial service for those affected by cancer. We are delighted to partner with Gary Kelly Cancer Care Centre to deliver these services in Louth. 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. We simply can’t be there for those patients and families without the generosity and support of the Irish public. Every €60 we can raise is a free counselling session for a patient or their loved one. Every euro of your support will help make a difference. That’s why we’re asking for your support on Daffodil Day, Friday 20th March.
Susanne Odberger Kelly, Centre Manager at the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, said:
Being diagnosed with cancer or supporting a loved one who has received a cancer diagnosis, can be incredibly difficult. Many people are reluctant to share their fears and worries with family or friends, often because they do not want to burden those closest to them. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and a sense that no one truly understands their experience.
By providing free counselling, we offer a safe and confidential space where clients can meet with an experienced counsellor who has supported people affected by cancer, and their families, for many years. This allows people to talk openly and receive professional support at a time when they need it most.
A cancer diagnosis can also have a significant financial impact on individuals and families, which is why all of our services are provided free of charge. We are very grateful to the Irish Cancer Society for their continued support in funding free counselling services in our community, as access to timely, professional emotional support can make a real difference to how people cope during their cancer experience.”
To continue to provide these counselling sessions, donations can be made to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre Donate – The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre or to the Irish Cancer Society at cancer.ie.
