The number of counselling appointments delivered to cancer patients rose by more than 8 per cent last year, the Irish Cancer Society has said.
The charity has signalled a “significant” increase in demand, stating it needs to raise €30 million to meet the pressure on its services.
According to the society, a total of 16,050 counselling appointments were provided last year, up from 14,825 in 2023.
Cancer patients also sought help in other ways, with the number of freephone support line calls and emails answered also rising 8 per cent from 9,916 to 10,700.
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The charity highlighted a particular increase in demand for transport to treatment with a 20 per cent increase in bookings last year.
Its drivers covered 2.9 million kilometres in 2024, bringing over 2,500 cancer patients to and from their cancer treatments. Demand for this service has increased by 126 per cent over the last five years.
Speaking in advance of their fundraising drive Daffodil Day on March 28th, Averil Power, chief executive of The Irish Cancer society, said there have been “massive increases across the board”.
“No doubt it will increase again this year. We are concerned about our ability to meet further increases this year. We only get 5 per cent of our funding from the State,” she said.
“It increased from 3 per cent to 5 per cent in last few years. We would be grateful for more State support but we can’t count on it. That’s why we have to raise the other 95 per cent.”
Ms Power said there was a need to raise €30 million this year, which is a “tough challenge, particularly in the current climate”.
“Without the generosity of the public, we would not be able to be there for everyone who needs us.”
Ms Power said counselling in particular is important for people with cancer and their families.
“A cancer diagnosis turns people’s worlds upside down. It causes huge upset and anxiety for the patient themselves but also everyone that loves them,” she said.
“We’ve invested €900,000 in free counselling services. We’ve doubled the investment in counselling over the past five years,” she said.
David Wilkins, who is living with a rare incurable cancer, attends counselling in his local cancer support centre in Carlow.
“Counselling continues to have a hugely calming effect on me and gives me the tools to manage everything and to take ownership of my disease,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful thing to just pour all that pain out on the floor, and out of your head. But, more importantly, my counsellor gives me the tools to help realign my emotional and physical self.”
Mr Wilkins said the counselling sessions help him “get back on track and adjust to the realities of the situation as things change”.
“They’re like a management consultant for your head. They are absolutely lifesavers,” he said.
