What are Support Groups?

Helping people to live with cancer is one of the most important functions of support groups. At the meetings of various support groups, former patients, their families and friends can all come together to share their experiences and communicate with one another.

The Irish Cancer Society recognises the immeasurable benefit that support groups have for patients and their families. Because of this, we endeavour to foster and aid the development of support groups by offering professional advice and assistance to support groups.

The Society primarily assists each support group, by training volunteers who are interested in running or leading a group. This training provides the volunteers with the skills necessary to give emotional and practical help in a safe and responsible way, not only to patients, but also to the patient's family and friends.

The Irish Cancer Society also provides meeting facilities for support groups to use. Additionally, the Society provides financial and administrative assistance to these support groups.

If you require further information on any of the support groups below, either click on the logo or email: support@irishcancer.ie

News

July 2010: The Irish Cancer Society has published a major report entitled "Building Effective Cancer Support Services in Ireland".

• Download Building Effective Cancer Support Services in Ireland (PDF, 1.8MB)
• Read more about the background to this report

Related pages

• Support Centres
• Support groups list
• Support links
• Counselling
• Care to Drive
• Travel2Care
• Contact the Irish Cancer Society's National Cancer Helpline by phone, email or onlince chat