Cancer Fund for Children in Ireland
Cancer Fund for Children Daisy Lodge Co. Mayo
We opened our first therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge Newcastle, in 2014. In just five years, we provided nurturing therapeutic short breaks to more than 2,140 families affected by cancer from all across Ireland.
The need for therapeutic short breaks is overwhelming. For every family we support, there are another seven we can not.
Therefore, we made the decision to build a second Daisy Lodge to ensure all families across Ireland get the vital emotional support they need.
We’re building our therapeutic short break centre – Daisy Lodge, Co. Mayo – on the beautiful shores of Lough Corrib, beside Cong Village. It’s a tranquil, natural haven of forest, lough shore and fresh air. We are delighted to say we have finished the building design, received planning permission and purchased the land.
Gap in Support
In 2015 Cancer Fund for Children undertook research into the services provided to families throughout Ireland who are coping with the devastating impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis. Our research revealed that aside from essential medical care and help from a small number of charities, overall support was scarce and fragmented.
As a result of these findings, and the fact that demand for therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge, has exceeded available capacity (there are currently 50 families waiting to use the service at any given time) we plan to open a second facility in Co. Mayo.
Our new therapeutic short break centre in Co. Mayo will allow us to increase the number of families we support from 400 to 800 a year, ensuring more families across Ireland can access the essential non-clinical support they need.
Eimear and Cameron’s Story
Eimear and Cameron Hardiman live in Navan. Their three year old daughter Clodagh was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 16 months old. They describe the family’s short break in Daisy Lodge, Newcastle, as a light shining in a very dark place and welcome the news that we plan to build Daisy Lodge Co. Mayo.
The Rory Foundation
Our plans are being backed by the Rory Foundation, the charitable foundation of four time Major Winner Rory McIlroy, who have pledged €1.2m as part of major donor strategy that will help turn our long term vision into a reality.
How You Can Get Involved
We’ve taken the first steps. Now we need your help so we can support every family affected by childhood cancer across Ireland.
If you would like to support our appeal to build Daisy Lodge Co. Mayo please contact our Relationship Development Manager, Belinda Kearns on belinda@cancerfundforchildren.ie or call 353 8770 86484.
If you would like to hold your own event you can download our fundraising which is full of tips and ideas to get you started.
Rory Voices His Support
“Having seen Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, County Down being developed from its foundations to what it is today is amazing. I’ve been back a couple of times since it opened and the facilities are exceptional. I have no doubt it will be the same in County Mayo. I am honoured to be able to support a second project.”
Rory McIlroy, Rory Foundation
Donate Today
You can make an online donation today via iDonate.
Every donation, large or small really does make a difference.
