'Let's Talk About Cancer' event sends out important message

'Let's Talk About Cancer' event takes place in the Radisson Hotel Sligo on Sunday, November 5, from 1pm-5.15pm. 

This event will highlight the excellent support services provided by the voluntary sector in the North West to individuals and their families following a cancer diagnosis.

This heartfelt conversation about cancer is organised by cancer survivors Joe Shannon and Georgie Gorman, and there will be a host of speakers, musicians and friends who have gone through their cancer journey.  

MC for the event is Tommie Gorman, who has lived with cancer since 1994. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours in 1994 and has managed the condition since then. His documentary Ireland, Cancer and Me was broadcast in 2021, whilst his book Never Better was published late last year.

Local cancer survivors Peter Keating, Amanda Farry and June Boyle will tell inspiring stories near the event's conclusion. 

Music will be provided by The Sligo Cancer Support Centre Choir, Joe Kelly, Sligo Choral Society, OceanFM's Marion Fitzgerald, and Soprano Dr. Orla Shannon, with singer and guitarist Georgie Gorman completing the lineup.

Sligo Cancer Support Centre offers a range of support and services for cancer patients and their families.  

"It's a place I go regularly for bioenergy treatment, good company and a cuppa, they have so much to offer to the people from the North West", says the cancer survivor Joe Shannon.

Georgie added, "It's amazing. We never thought it would be that successful in terms of bringing people together. We are on our own journey, and that was the whole point of setting it up, to let people know that there is help and lots more after the Hospital and after treatment".  

The organisers set up a social media page called 'The Recovery Tour', and it's gone from strength to strength with over 1 million views to date from around the world.  

Joe and Georgie now have their Radio Show - 'Joe and Georgie Unplugged', broadcasting Monday to Friday from 11am – 1pm on Ocean FM. 

'Let's Talk About Cancer' event will be the first of its kind in the Sligo region since events on cancer of this scale are seldom held outside Dublin or Belfast.

Tickets are available online at €20 each, and proceeds from the event will be donated to the Sligo Cancer Support Centre and SHOUT Sligo (Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trush).