Donating to the #WearToCare campaign this week means you're supporting vital counselling and support services for those affected by cancer.

On Friday December 18th we’re asking you to show you care with what you wear, to raise vital funds for cancer patients and their families.

It comes after an extremely difficult year for cancer patients and their loved ones, with many support services having to adapt or change in response to the unique circumstances of 2020.

Deirdre Stanley is an Irish Cancer Society funded counsellor, and she says it's vital there's funding to support services such as remote therapy.

She told Moncrieff that she conducts therapy both by phone and FaceTime.

She explained: "As a therapist, you feel [you need] a one to one where you can see and interact with your client that way... but actually [remote] works really, really well.

"A lot of people who are experiencing cancer, particularly with a diagnosis, are very vulnerable - with the phone, they can remain safe. They're not exposed, or put in any danger from any kind of infection.

"It can also be accessed from anywhere in the country - if you're living in a rural area, sometimes it can be very hard to access therapy, but we can have clients all over the country."

'Ground goes from underneath you'

Deirdre said many of her clients describe a cancer diagnosis as the "ground going from underneath you".

She said: "Anything that you knew or were certain of is gone... you literally don't know where you're putting your feet.

"It's like getting on a train - it takes off, and you're on that train, and you just go through from treatment to treatment until that train stops. It's an emotional roller-coaster."

That's why she support services are needed so badly - not just for cancer patients themselves, but also the people supporting the patients.

She said: "It's not just people who experience cancer diagnosis - people supporting people with cancer actually can benefit from help.

"You often have clients who come and they feel guilty because they feel they're taking someone else's therapy. They're not: they need to be supported too."

#WearToCare

Show your support for the Irish Cancer Society this Friday by taking part in #WearToCare - all you have to do is wear and share your favourite festive looks!

Pop on a Christmas Jumper, wrap yourself in tinsel, rock a Santa hat or break out your Christmas PJs and wear them all day.