Ballyshannon man Paul McLoone is well-known in many circles.
As the former Director of Finn Harps, a former Chief Executive of North West Tourism, and before that, the former General Manager of Sligo University Hospital, he has countless contacts.
But life-changing events have inspired him to use his status to promote a vital cause – the Irish Cancer Society.
McLoone is a six-time cancer survivor. After sixteen years of illness, he believes he’s here today, enjoying precious time with his family, because of the support of the Irish Cancer Society.
The Irish Cancer Society was announced as this year’s winner at the 2021 Charity Impact Awards ceremony which was held online earlier this week.
Entries each year are assessed from a short video and a written application part of which encompasses a case study where the organisation has made a positive difference. Paul was more than happy to share his own story.
Watch here:
Talking to an Irish Cancer Society Survivor Support volunteer proved an invaluable part of Paul McLoone’s recovery process.
Paul first picked up the phone to the Society way back in 2006, and he is thankful to have been able to avail of the vital assistance on offer throughout successive diagnoses of bowel, liver, prostate and skin cancer since then.
He said: “I’ve been fortunate to benefit from a range of services, including free cancer counselling and really helpful conversations with their Survivor Support volunteers. I find that if you talk with someone who is experienced and has been through the same thing as you, you get the best advice, the best support and a shoulder to lean on.
“I did not try to do this on my own. There’s not a chance that I would have got through this if I tried to do this on a solo run. I reached out and I shared my deepest feelings, and my family were brilliant too.
“The Irish Cancer Society have done so much for me, and if not for all the good advice they’ve had to offer I may not be standing here today. It’s a free service and it’s magnificent.
“I am delighted that I have gotten back precious time to spend with my granddaughter who I’m now getting to see grow up. I’ve had so much amazing support over the years, and my overriding feeling is of relief and joy that I am still alive and well, and looking forward to a bright future.”
Paul McLoone being interviewed for Impact Awards video
The Charity Impact Award celebrates the positive impact that charities, community groups and voluntary organisations are making on peoples’ lives across Ireland.
The Irish Cancer Society is the only organisation in Ireland providing both cancer services, support and investing in research. They are there for people at every stage of their cancer experience from diagnosis, through treatment and into survivorship, and they are working to improve every stage of that experience.
It is the largest voluntary funder of cancer research, which has provided substantial investment into innovative projects ranging from Ireland’s first freely available fertility preservation service for childhood cancer patients, to a Women’s Health Initiative offering crucial survivorship supports to help patients overcome the devastating yet often overlooked side effects of cancer treatment.
If you or someone close to you is affected by cancer, you can get free information and advice at info@irishcancer.ie or Freephone 1800200700.
