Mayo Cancer Support
Something to Sing About
By Martin Corcoran
23, Mar 2013 - 11:26

Cancer survivors singing down the catwalk!

Something to Sing About (STSA) is very pleased that its second public performance will take place in conjunction with Mayo Cancer Support - Rock Rose House for a fundraising fashion show with a difference on Friday 5th April next. All roads lead to Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar where an evening of song, fashion, food and wine awaits all in attendance.

Since its inception in summer of last year STSA has gone from strength to strength both nationally and internationally with nearly thirty centres being established across Ireland and international centres such as Brisbane, Australia and negotiations in New York, the UK and Europe on first rehearsals taking place in the coming weeks. STSA was conceptualised and founded by Dr. Paul Donnellan, Consultant Oncologist Galway University Hospitals and Mayo General Hospital and he has brought the organisation to fruition over the past number of months.

This will be the first public performance since STSA won a momentous accolade in the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Awards. The Astellas Awards is an initiative aimed at recognising the achievements of professionals working in health, striving to make a better future for their patients and it was indeed an honour to have such recognition for the STSA organisation this early in its development.

Its first public performance saw a number of STSA members gather on the streets of Galway on a cold December night to welcome participants to town in festive cheer with a number of Christmas Carols, however this second event is proving very exciting for members and a premier of an audience for the choir with up-to-date fashions from the west of Ireland's leading boutiques!

The concept behind STSA is a simple one, "A diagnosis of cancer is shocking news", Dr Donnellan explains, "but STSA celebrates the fact that, with the right treatment, the outlook can be quite good. For example 80% of prostate cancer patients will survive their disease; 90% of breast cancer patients live longer than five years, and many of these patients are cured. "There are more cancer survivors alive at this moment than at any other time in the history of the world. This is surely something to sing about!" he adds.

However cancer survivors need ongoing support, especially from fellow survivors; STSA promotes this by bringing cancer patients together on a regular basis to sing songs and have a bit of fun. There is evidence that music may be beneficial, especially in the treatment of high blood pressure, headaches, anxiety and depression. The STSA rehearsals therefore may also be therapeutic for cancer patients.

The ethos behind STSA is mirrored in the mission of Rock Rose House. Mayo Cancer Support Association Rock Rose House was established in 1999. The Rock Rose Flower is famous for surviving on dry hill slopes and places where other flora would not have the strength to survive. Mayo Cancer used this as a symbol of survival in adversity.

The aims of the Association are: To offer emotional support and practical help to people with cancer, their family and friends. To lessen the fear association with the word cancer and to continue to develop and meet the cancer related needs of the people of Mayo and the locality.

The Centre is open from 9.30 to 5.00 Monday to Friday and all services are free of charge. Services available are Professional Counselling, Complementary Therapies, Workshops and Information Evenings, Survivors Support Group, Bereavement Counselling, Bra Fitting, Stress Management.

Mayo Cancer Support and Something to Sing About see this as an opportunity to show you, the public, that together we can make a difference to the lives of people dealing with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis.

Your support for our work is very important to us. This evening of song, style and sumptuous food is one for the calendar for many reasons.

This will truly be a unique occasion and fun filled evening. The event is exceptional value with tickets priced at only €20 including food and wine and a Raffle for many valuable prizes including weekends away, hampers and gift vouchers. Many celebrities will be joining us including current Mayo Rose of Tralee, Dervla Kenny and renowned singers.

In supporting the event you will support your local community, local services, local businesses and the people who need our support in the ongoing battle with cancer

The event will start at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.