One of the leading health campaigns in the North-West has successfully delivered their first sarcoma awareness powerpoint at the Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.
The presentation on the rare form of cancer took place at the Gaeilge school in west Donegal on Friday.
Sarcomas are rare malignant tumours that grow from transformed cells of the connecting tissue of muscle, fat, cartilage or bone. While the tumours can affect any part of the body, they are most commonly found in the lower limbs.
The first presentation of its kind in Ireland comes after years of dedication by Paul’s Campaign, a Derry-based group of family and friends led by Francie Coyle after the death of his son Paul in 2011.
The event was organised with the aim of gaining young ambassadors that would be able to spread information on the disease across the county.
Speaking on the day, Francie Coyle told Donegal Daily: “This is saving lives, it is all about early diagnosis and intervention and treatment and that is what people need.
“People must know what they are looking out for and that is lumps, bumps, cysts or swellings.
“Now, not every bump is anything, but just knowing what to look out for is very important, making awareness of sarcoma and education is awareness and awareness is education.
“Having this talk and having the awareness powerpoint in Ghaoth Dobhair is brilliant because it is only the start for us spreading this awareness as much as we can.”
Members of the campaign will now travel to Leinster House later this year to meet with elected members to discuss the issue of sarcoma awareness.
Pictures of the event can be seen below…
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