People are being asked to get dressed up in their favourite Christmas clothes today to help raise vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Newstalk is encouraging the donning of Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, or festive pyjamas today as part of its #WearToCare initiative.
Anyone wearing the festive fashion is asked to donate what they can to help the Irish Cancer Society support patients and their families.
As of this evening, more than €60,000 had been raised.
#WearToCare update! https://t.co/tVrNCXTeNu pic.twitter.com/W69CW29o9p
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) December 18, 2020
Dr Robert O’ Connor, the charity’s Director of Research, said the Society has been impacted during the pandemic by a lack of funding paired with increased demand for their services.
He told Newstalk Breakfast: "We've seen major impacts across stress, anxiety, the psychological aspect of cancer and that's led to a significant impact on our free counselling which is available through our support line.
"We have also seen very significant demands and increases on our Night Nursing, our terminal care and support.
"Last year we provided 7,000 nights of free care to people going through a very difficult situation in their home."
Dr O'Connor agreed that COVID-19 added an extra psychological burden on people already going through the challenge of cancer treatment.
He said "isolation at a time of distress is extremely difficult" both for people affected by cancer as well as their friends and family.
Today he is asking people in the spirit of hope and giving that Christmas brings to consider making a donation to the society.
'An old friend'
Helen Butler from Galway said the Irish Cancer Society's Night Nursing service helped her family to help provide care for her sister Yvonne in her final days.
Yvonne died from cancer in March aged 47, but Helen says the Night Nurse "made such a difference" in their situation by allowing her sister to receive care at night.
She told The Pat Kenny Show: "It allowed us to be the family and we didn't have to be the primary carers for those few days."
We're supporting the @IrishCancerSoc #WearToCare campaign today. Text WEAR to 50300 to donate €4 to support these vital services and get those Christmas jumpers on!!!! pic.twitter.com/X534wwAJbc
— 𝕊𝕥𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕡 (@Stephenteap) December 18, 2020
When the Night Nurse arrived, it was like "an old friend coming through the door" and she would chat with Yvonne and the family.
Helen said: "It was a really easy relationship and very lovely.
"You could sleep easy knowing that Yvonne was being cared for by a skilled professional who knew what was needed to be done."
Hillary, a Night Nurse with the Irish Cancer Society, told Lunchtime Live said that in many circumstances, she is made to feel "very much at home" and part of the family she visits.
She visits homes where both young and old are affected by cancer, with the loss of a loved one "palpable" to each family.
Hillary said she has seen families who may never have said 'I love you' but their love is shown in the way they care for the person, which she says is a "privilege" to witness.
"You couldn't but love this job," she said.
"It's the satisfaction of knowing you have made a small difference, even if that's knowing everybody got to sleep.
"That they had the security of knowing you were there with their family member.
"If I came away and all I did was let them sleep then that's great."
Hillary is appealing for people to donate what they can to the Irish Cancer Society today, saying that Night Nurses like herself would not be able to do what they do without the public's support.
If you or a loved one is affected by Cancer you can find support at the Irish Cancer Society helpline on 1800 200 700.
Text the word WEAR to 50300 to donate €4. Wear to Care, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, on Newstalk.
Texts cost €4 of which the Irish Cancer Society receives a minimum of €3.60
Or visit newstalk.com/wear
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