Cancer Fund for Children marks the 10th Birthday of their Therapeutic Short break Centre
We opened the doors of Daisy Lodge in 2014, replacing our former Shimna Valley centre. Since then we’ve been able to provide almost 4,000 families impacted by cancer with therapeutic short breaks, giving them a safe space where they could focus on spending time together and take a break from the world of cancer.
Throughout the last 10 years Daisy Lodge has been a haven for families as well as a hub of activity. Within this purpose built facility, we have celebrated 280 birthdays and delivered 7,950 therapeutic workshops and 8,925 complementary therapies to families impacted by cancer. We’ve also made 82,000 pieces of our famous Daisy Lodge shortbread!
We can’t believe that we’re celebrating the 10th birthday of Daisy Lodge and we’re so excited to mark this milestone by celebrating the community that has made it possible. From businesses to community groups and individuals, the support we have received and the generosity and kindness we have experienced has completely blown us away. We can’t wait to continue to work together so we can better serve the families who need us.
Raph O'Connor, Residential Services Manager at Daisy Lodge
To commemorate this special occasion, we decided to hold a special coffee morning and invited Amy Uprichard to cut the cake. Amy was diagnosed with Leukaemia when she was just 16 and we were privileged to support her through her experience. She also helped to open Daisy Lodge in 2014.
Daisy Lodge opened just a few weeks before my transplant, and I never got to stay there because of all the complications with my treatment, but I know people who did and, for them, it meant a lot to have somewhere to go and enjoy a sense of normality. Cancer Fund for Children was an amazing support for me. It put me in touch with other young people my age going through the same thing, which was a real comfort because no one really knows what you are going through.
I am still in touch with some of the friends I made there today. I was delighted to be asked along to the special event to mark the anniversary of Daisy Lodge.
Amy Uprichard
