The west Donegal woman who works tirelessly to improve cancer services in Donegal
Mary Coyle manages Donegal Cancer Flights & Services, which provides subsidised flights for more than 500 cancer patients in the county to go for treatment, whether by air or by ground
A west Donegal woman has said her family’s experiences made her want to do all she could to improve cancer services in Donegal.
Mary Coyle manages Donegal Cancer Flights & Services, which provides subsidised flights for more than 500 cancer patients in the county to go for treatment, whether by air or by ground.
The charity is based in Ionad Naomh Pádraig in Dobhar since 2017, with Mary saying the decision to take over was a“no brainer” as her father Lawrence ‘Lala’ Harden had to make his way to and from Dublin.
“My father had cancer, and he owned a haulage company, so he used to drive his lorry up and down to Dublin for his treatment,” Mary tells DonegalLive. “I remember him being so ill and that journey being too much for someone that was going through cancer treatment, so I quickly agreed to take it on.”
Flights to and from Dublin, as well as ground transportation - as many people also go to places such as Dublin, Galway, Sligo, Derry, and Letterkenny for treatment - were felt vital by Ionad Naomh Pádraig.
“We submitted an application for a community car, and we were successful,” Mary says. “We currently have 16 volunteer drivers. We could not do it without them, they are amazing.”
They were successful in their application to get a community bus operating as well. Not only does the charity offer a patient’s transportation for treatment, but they also offer counselling services two days a week and run ‘pamper days’ four times a year at the centre.
Pampering days where clients are treated to a range of free therapies and treatments in the relaxed atmosphere of Ionad Naomh Pádraig.
Ionad Naomh Padraig welcomed 13 students and two faculty members from the Old Dominion University, in Virginia in the United States this month.
The group was composed of qualified doctors and nurses, as well as a few who were still training. As part of the quarterly pamper day at the centre, many cancer patients had a chance to get a check-up done on their heart, vision, and hearing.
“It is times like this that you see that the work done here is so worthwhile,” Mary adds. “It is a fabulous service.”
Donegal Cancer Flights & Services offer a return flight from Donegal to Dublin for €30, and if the patient is travelling with someone else, it is €62. However, when people donate money to the charity, they can cover the whole expense of some patients' journeys.
“We could not run our services without the community; they raised so much money for us. There are so many people that have gone through their cancer treatment with us, and have come out on the other side, and they return to fundraise, for the next people coming through our doors,” Mary added.
These services are not exclusively for cancer patients. Ionad Naomh Pádraig also offers discounted flights for children with long-term illnesses that must go to Dublin for treatment regularly.
Since Ionad Naomh Pádraig opened in 2006, Mary has led the community centre from strength to strength. Employing 23 people and having 35 volunteers, they offer a wide range of services, with everything “from the cradle to the grave” from parenting courses, adult education to meals on wheels. Last year, the centre opened a sensory room for children with special needs, making it inclusive for every child.
The centre also got funding to get an extension added to the back of the building. They also received funding from the Donegal County Council to upgrade the community garden with a play area which will open this year.
“We have a lot going on here this year. I hope we can continue to meet the needs of our community.”