2010 was a very successful year for Mayo Cancer Support Association.

Under the chairmanship of Anne Duffy the organisation undertook workshops and information days some of which were specifi c to cancer types. Many of the courses and activities were geared towards family members as well as the patient. Our weekly service includes the Drop In Listening Service, Massage, Refl exology, Professional Counselling.

A new addition to this programme has been Manual Lymph Drainage.  All of the therapies are complementary and are recognised as being benefi cial in the recovery process. The therapies are also of great benefi t to people who are looking after and supporting a loved one on their cancer journey.   The Drop In Listening Service is a lifeline for people who have had a diagnosis and feel alone and isolated in their stress.  It is a place to go to talk about your fears and worries and to leave them after you when to go about your daily life.   The service is extremely confi dential and all of the people working in the Centre have been trained. A Professional Counselling service is also available every Wednesday.   For family members the Drop In Service is hugely benefi cial because they have their own concerns around the illness and very often do not wish to express it to their loved ones. Again it is a place where all of these stresses can be talked over and left behind.  Very often it is good to have a therapy booked so that when you have dealt with the emotional stuff you can then have a nice relaxing therapy to restore you as you go out to meet the challenges of life.