Dóchas and Irish Cancer Society to deliver free counselling across Offaly
The Irish Cancer Society and Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group have partnered to provide 234 free counselling sessions across Offaly.
The Irish Cancer Society presented €21,500 to Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group to deliver free counselling services. These free services can be availed by cancer patients, survivors and their family members.
In addition to the 234 counselling services funded by the Irish Cancer Society, Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group funded 483 counselling sessions and 134 sessions of Play Therapy.
Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group also provides a large range of services including Reflexology, Oncology Massage, Physiotherapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Chiropody, Support Groups (including Women, Men and Bereavement Support) and Survivorship programme.
The Irish Cancer Society provides free remote counselling across the country, and by partnering with a network of 24 local cancer support centres, funding is provided to deliver free in-person counselling at a community level.
In 2025, the Irish Cancer Society’s free nationwide counselling service provided almost 13,000 sessions through cancer support centres across the country.
Irish Cancer Society Head of Service Operations Mary Quinn said that “1 in 2 of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime,” emphasising that everyone who receives such news deserves the highest level of support to help them process and come to terms with it.
She described the provision of free counselling to patients, survivors and their families as a crucial service for those affected by cancer.
She added: "We are delighted to partner with Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group to deliver these services in Offaly. As well as offering our own remote counselling services, through our 24 local cancer support centre partners, the Irish Cancer Society funds vital free counselling services on the ground across Ireland.
"We simply can’t be there for those patients and families without the generosity and support of the Irish public."
The charity is encouraging the public to show their support on Daffodil Day, taking place on Friday, March 20, noting that every €60 raised provides a free counselling session for a patient or their loved one and that each donation helps make a meaningful difference.
John Conroy, Service Manager Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group says: “We are very grateful to the Irish Cancer Society for this funding, which helps support us in providing free, accessible counselling to people affected by cancer across Offaly and the wider midlands region.
“A cancer diagnosis impacts far more than physical health, and the availability of professional emotional support close to home makes a real difference to people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis and their families.”
To continue to provide these counselling sessions, donations can be made to www.dochasoffaly.ie or to the Irish Cancer Society at cancer.ie.
For confidential advice, support and information on any cancer issue, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700.