A group of cancer campaigners have began their third demonstration outside of Letterkenny University Hospital this morning.
They are looking to catch the attention of key healthcare decision-makers, and highlight the plight of Donegal’s cancer patients and the arduous journeys they face to seek treatment.
Their campaign is being led by Clonmany woman Roseena Toner, who is currently in remission from leukaemia and has intimate knowledge of the stress that the lack of adequate services in Donegal puts on patients and their loved ones.
Earlier this week, Roseena and other campaigners scored a meeting with LUH Manager Sean Murphy, and Dr Gerry O’Dowd from the Saolta University Cancer Network.
However despite some positive feedback, Roseena told Donegal Daily earlier this week that she felt Saolta was not taking their concerns seriously, saying:
“It seems to me that Saolta is dragging their heels, in that they don’t want anyone to have the facilities that Galway has because they want us all to go to Galway.”
She is urging the public to show up in force at today’s demonstration to show solidarity with those calling for better cancer services in Donegal – with demonstrators set to be at the gates of LUH until 3pm.
“You don’t know what the next week or month or year is going to bring, it is in everybody’s benefit that Letterkenny has a proper cancer service, that we don’t have to travel, that elderly people should not have to travel.”
“The word is spreading – the more people that turn up, the better. We need to keep highlighting it and maybe somewhere along the line it will get to the ears of the higher-ups.”
