The Covid 19 lockdown and other restrictions have been difficult for everyone but sadly it has impacted people with cancer or in recovery more than most.
Cancer patients were unable to get to their normal physiotherapy sessions and exercise classes which is so important in their battle with the disease.
To help solve this problem the North East Cancer Research and Treatment group (NECRET) which raises funds and support for the Oncology at our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has produced a series of videos and booklets to help cancer patients to continue their vital exercises at home.
NECRET joined forces with chartered physiotherapist Vikki McGinn, who runs the Drogheda Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic (DPRC) to produce a home workout strength training exercise programme and videos for their YouTube Channel.
According to Vikki the response when the videos were released was “truly phenomenal and showed that there was a real need among this group of people.
“To receive positive feedback from people from all over the country was so positive and encouraging” Vikki said. “People were using the programme as part of their everyday routine which was what we had envisaged and hoped for.”
The creation of the booklets to accompany the videos was the natural next step. With feedback from users and input from Grainne Kerr who runs the physiotherapy service in the Haematology and Oncology Unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and members of the nursing team, the booklet completed the package for people going through or post treatment.
NECRET would also like to make special mention and thanks for the assistance of videographer Ciaran McIvor, Kelvin Finnegan and BUI Irish Featherweight Champion Eric Donovan in the video productions and to Vincent Murray for the wonderfully designed booklets.
The booklets which illustrate areas such as warmups, stretching, core exercises and lower and upper body for users be they at a basic or moderate level are available through Grainne at the Unit or Vikki in DPRC at https://www.dprc.ie/home-exercises.html#/ Alternatively, you can email info@necret.ie
