Kilkenny's Cois Nore provides a safe space to be heard after a cancer diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis is one of life’s most challenging curveballs and the uncertainty it brings can be overwhelming.

Counselling provides a safe and confidential space for people who are living with a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones. In Kilkenny Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre has been providing this service since it was founded in 2013.

The charity recently launched a fundraising Gift of Care campaign which is aiming to raise €2million to create a new state of the art cancer support centre on the Waterford Road.

The centre offers a wide range of support services to people who have a cancer diagnosis including talk therapies for adults and children.

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Board member and psychotherapist, Mags Bowen explains that counselling can be both beneficial and necessary when navigating a cancer diagnosis.

“Talk therapy is really important for all of us at any stage of our lives when we are facing difficult and challenging situations as it provides us with a space that we know is both private and space. It is a confidential and kind space where you can feel supported and heard.

“Often when someone is diagnosed with cancer their medical treatment is in another county so it is great that Cois Nore is able and available to provide support services on our doorstep in Kilkenny,” she added.

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is tough and can bring up a host of other issues and emotions.

“Old dilemmas can be awakened and new ones can occur at this time. Through counselling we are supporting the person as a whole and we are meeting the person where they are at We are giving the individual the space to recognise the emotional impact of a diagnosis, it can feel like a bomb going off and sometimes the fallout is not immediate. There is a grief and loss component as well as loss of hope and a feeling of unfairness.”

Cois Nore also provides counselling and other support services for the family and loved ones of a person who has a cancer diagnosis.

“It is very important that children and family members also have space to express through play or talk therapy what is happening.

“Children often try and protect a parent and can hold back on how they are feeling and in Cois Nore we give them space to express themselves in a safe space through the medium of play. We also have a parenting group for parents who are parenting alone after a cancer loss,” added Mags.

As well as talk and play therapy Cois Nore also offers a range of other free support services to those affected by cancer. The charity hopes to move from its current location in Walkin Street to a bigger premises on the Waterford Road and is looking for the people of Kilkenny to support the Gift of Care campaign. Every euro raised will go directly to funding the development of a new cancer support centre at Lilac Lodge on the Waterford Road. By donating €250 or more as a one-off or monthly payment, we can boost your donation by 45% through the Charitable Donation Scheme. For more and to donate see coisnore.ie