Illness Support

This group comprises those people for whom Make Today Count was initially established and is facilitated by the Community Outreach Worker.
Meetings are held twice monthly at our Charlestown centre and are open to any person suffering a life-threatening illness, their carers, friends or anyone who may have an interest in such support. These informal meeetings provide a means whereby, in an atmosphere of confidentiality, people are able to talk about the fears, anxieties, confusion, hopelessness and despair which are usually consequential to the diagnosis of serious illness.
Research literature shows that psychological reactions to developing cancer range from anxiety, anger and decreased self-esteem, through to depression and other more serious psychiatric disorders.

International research shows that education, encouragement of the expression of feelings, sharing of experiences and seeing examples of people who are coping effectively is beneficial for cancer patients.

The camaraderie which develops within this group is very significant in the enhancement of quality of life as sharing and caring grows.

Many members speak of their first attendance, when they were apprehensive about what happens in a roomful of ‘dying’ people, only to be welcomed by this group of people full of positive thoughts, humour and the determination to live whatever life remained for them in the most rewarding manner. Rather than a diagnosis of cancer being a death sentence, it can open up a new way of living, particularly if people are encouraged to be fully informed about their illness and treatment options and to be given the opportunity to make their own decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives.