About Cork ARC Cancer Support House

Cork ARC is a safe haven for people with cancer and their families, where you can find information, practical help and emotional support. Whatever stage of your cancer journey, you are not alone.

If you are a cancer patient or someone close to you has cancer, we are here to offer you specialist professional support ranging from counselling to pilates classes to information on social welfare.

Our Teams

Our Trustees

Our voluntary Trustees govern the overall operations of Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

They are passionate about providing the best possible support service for cancer patients and their families. They bring expertise from the areas of Oncology, Business, Accounting, Legal and Marketing. Together, they hold firm our mission and ethos, ensuring that Cork ARC Cancer Support House maintains a high quality and professional service. Their commitment of time and expertise is a testimony to their belief in providing support for cancer patients and their families.

Damian McGovern

Damian McGovern

Damian’s experience as Business Manager, Directorate of Medicine at Cork University Hospital (CUH) with particular responsibility for the delivery of oncology services gives him a unique awareness for the well-being and psychological needs of people affected by cancer.
With over twenty years of experience in healthcare management, his presence as a Trustee adds a special understanding of the life of cancer patients in the clinical world. His knowledge and skills of the developments in cancer services is key to our strategic vision. His voluntary input is brought with genuine care and a wish to make the lives of cancer patients and their families better.

Louise Nestor

Louise Nestor

Dr. Louise Nestor is a GP in Cork city with over twenty years’ experience. Her care of patients in the community has allowed her to witness first hand the positive impact that Cork ARC brings to patients and their families. She brings this knowledge and empathy to her role as Trustee, ensuring that the best care is provided by Cork ARC.
“I am impressed by the positive impact Cork ARC has had on friends and patients who have had cancer, and am delighted to join the organisation at such an exciting time in their history.”

Paul Montgomery

Paul Montgomery

Paul is Managing Director of the Clancy’s Group, which owns and operates some of Ireland’s most successful pub, restaurant and nightclub venues. His enthusiasm for delivering support services to cancer patients makes him an invaluable resource for Cork ARC Cancer Support House. His vision and business insight provides us with a major asset in strategic development. His understanding of the cancer journey fuels his passion to ensure our services are available for all those who need them.

Roy McKnight

Roy Knight

Roy Knight

Roy is a Chartered Banker with over twenty years of experience in financial services. He is currently the CEO of Douglas Credit Union, one of Cork’s most progressive credit unions. Working in the credit Union with it’s not for profit ethos and the importance it attributes to volunteers gives him insight into how governance and our support team can work together to ensure that cancer patients and their families will have the support they need.

Seamus O'Reilly

Professor Seamus O’Reilly

Seamus is Co-Chairperson and a founding trustee of Cork ARC. As Consultant Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at University College Cork, Seamus brings a wealth of expertise and understanding to our mission.
Seamus is a highly esteemed figure within the medical oncolgy community as National Speciality Director in Medical Oncology at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and Vice Clinical Lead of Cancer Trials Ireland. He has also co-developed an online multidisciplinary course in Cancer Medicine for General Practice with University College Cork and was recently selected to join the Executive Board of the Breast International Group (BIG). In the community, Seamus is also a co-founder of the South Eastern Cancer Foundation and has led and developed nurse education and financial hardship patient funds at CUH Charity, and the CUH-India appeal for Unicef in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Honor Moore

Honor Moore

Honor is a Chartered Account and the Partner in Chief of Deloitte’s Cork office. Honor was appointed to the Board of Cork ARC in 2018 and brings her expertise to advise on all matters relating to finance and banking. She is delighted to continue Deloitte’s long association with Cork ARC, following in the footsteps of one of our founding trustees, the late Bernard Uniacke.

Sinead McNamara

Sinead McNamara

Sinead is a practicing solicitor with over twenty years’ experience, and is a Co-Chairperson of Cork ARC. As a partner in FitzGerald Legal & Advisory LLP, Sinead brings her legal expertise to the Cork ARC Board of Trustees and to support the Cork ARC mission. Sinead first learned of Cork ARC following the diagnosis of a family member, and has first hand experience of the support that is offered by Cork ARC Cancer Support House. Sinead is passionate about ensuring cancer patients and their families in the greater Cork area can access supports like Cork ARC at this most vulnerable time in their lives.

Rhona Abbey

Rona Bio Image

Rhona Abbey

Rhona is a commercial marketer and spent over 20 years leading the regional marketing team in EY. She has proven ability to work with senior management to envision, develop and implement strategies and integrated brand and marketing initiatives. Rhona has organised a number of fundraisers for Cork ARC over the last 10 years, securing corporate sponsorships and building awareness of Cork ARC’s purpose through highly successful PR and marketing.campaigns. Rhona has personal experience of how cancer affects families and the critical role Cork ARC plays in supporting those affected by cancer and she is driven to support Cork ARC’s strategic goals and ambitions.

Jill Ahern

Jill Ahern

Jill joined the Cork ARC Board of Trustees in 2021, having supported us as a Volunteer Listener since 2016. Jill wanted to use her personal experience of cancer to help others, having both experienced a diagnosis herself and having lost family members to the diseases.
She has over 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and is passionate about working with people. Jill hopes to bring her experience of working with the Services Team in ARC House to her role to support the future strategy for the organisation.

Pat Kierans

Pat Kierans

Pat is an experienced, energetic Founder with a proven track record of delivering strategic communications consultancy and services to a broad range of clients. Skilled in Business Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Digital Marketing, Social Media, and Public Relations, Pat founded leading Marketing Communications agency Dyjaho in 2016.
He brings an impressive track record in the area of brand strategy and development to Cork ARC, supporting our mission in ensuring cancer patients and their families will have the support they need, when they need it.

Maria Crowley

Maria Crowley Bio Image

Maria Crowley

Maria is an Economics graduate of U.C.C., and the co-founder and managing director of Leeside Shipping, a leading freight company. She has been a member of the committee that runs the annual Cork ARC Fundraising ball for several years and has over 30 years’ experience running a small business, with all the acquired skills that brings in terms of finance, people, effective delivery of services and excellent use of resources. Maria has said "I’ve seen first hand the difference that Cork ARC Cancer Support House can make in the lives of people affected by cancer and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to support this mission in any way I can."

Bridget Quirke

Bridget Quirke

Bridget Quirke

Bridget is an experienced HR Manager, she has years of proven ability in this function and as Business Manager, working with Multi-disciplinary teams, developing and implementing strategies with the HSE.
Bridget has personal experience of how Cancer affects the Family and has committed to bringing her experience, to support and deliver the future goals as set out by Cork ARC.

Our Trustees

Our voluntary Trustees govern the overall operations of Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

They are passionate about providing the best possible support service for cancer patients and their families. They bring expertise from the areas of Oncology, Business, Accounting, Legal and Marketing. Together, they hold firm our mission and ethos, ensuring that Cork ARC Cancer Support House maintains a high quality and professional service. Their commitment of time and expertise is a testimony to their belief in providing support for cancer patients and their families.

Our Team

It takes a big team to ensure we can provide the help cancer patients and their families need, when they need it. In addition to our volunteer teams, our staff manage all aspects of Cork ARC Cancer Support House and our Centres in Cork and Bantry.

Olivia Grace

Head of Services

Catriona O’Mahony

General Manager

catriona@corkcancersupport.ie

021 427 6688

Catriona has worked with Cork ARC since 2016 and was responsible for the development and management of Cork ARC Cancer Support House Bantry, before becoming General Manager of Cork ARC in 2021.
Catriona has extensive knowledge of cancer care in clinical and support settings, having worked in Oncology Nursing before joining the Cork ARC team. Her time as an oncology nurse in the community allowed Catriona to truly understand the patient’s, seeing firsthand how organisations like Cork ARC are lifelines for patients and their families. Catriona is passionate about ensuring professional supports like Cork ARC are available free of charge to people at this vulnerable time in their lives.

Grainne Prendergast

West Cork Community Cancer Support Nurse

Grainne Prendergast

West Cork Community Cancer Support Nurse

westcork@corkcancersupport.ie

027 53891 / 083 198 8580

Grainne is our West Cork Community Cancer Support Nurse and manages Cork ARC Cancer Support House in Bantry. With over 30 years of nursing experience in Oncology and Palliative Care, in both the acute and community settings in Ireland and abroad, Grainne has a deep understanding of the impact a diagnosis has. Grainne believes in supporting, advocating and empowering cancer pateinets and their families to live their best lives throughout all stages of their cancer journey. Her core values are kindness, respect and confidentiality. Above all else, Grainne passionately believes in providing a safe space and a listening ear to the people of West Cork who have been affected by cancer.

Karen O'Sullivan

Development and Marketing Manager

Ellen Joyce

Director of Services

Ellen has been with us at Cork ARC since our first days in 2003 and has seen our team grow from a handful of volunteers to a team of six oncology nurses and over one-hundred volunteers. With over 30 years experience in Oncology, Ellen believes in a patient centred care approach to encourage best quality outcomes.
The values of respect, dignity, compassion, privacy, confidentiality and supporting patients to have choice guide Ellen’s work in developing our services. passionate about a patient-centred care approach to give the best quality outcomes. Ellen also advodcates for cancer support on a regional and national level, and was key in ensuring psychological care was included in the current National Cancer Strategy.

Fiona Moriarty

Breast Cancer Nurse Counsellor

Fiona Moriarty

Breast Cancer Nurse Counsellor

021 427 6688

Fiona’s role as Breast Cancer Nurse Counsellor is to support those impacted by Breast Cancer, either themselves or their families. This involves creating supports that are delivered on a one-to-one basis or within a group setting where participants can listen, be listened to, and explore their own needs. Fiona’s background in cancer nursing and cancer care from active treatment and palliative care, and her qualification as a counsellor in person-centeed and gestalt therapy is essential to her role. From producing and delivering educational workshops to facilitating group programmes where women with similar experiences can share in safety all of the emotions, fears, tears and laughter that go with a diagnosis. Fiona heads up this service, ensuring that any advice or information relies on best research and evidence, which can be delivered in a very non-threatening calm atmosphere.

Hilary Sulivan

Head of Fundraising and Corporate Affairs

hilary@corkcancersupport.ie

021 427 6688

Hilary’s role as Head of Fundraising and Corporate Affairs is to lead the development and delivery of the fundraising plan for Cork ARC Cancer Support House, ensuring we can continue to develop our services and that they will remain free of charge for cancer patients and their loved ones.
Hilary’s absolute belief is that everyone affected by cancer should have the support they need to help them manage the psychological, emotional and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis, thus improving outcomes and quality of life for all. Hilary is inspired by the amazing supporters of Cork ARC, and their goodwill, generosity and creativity which she experiences every day.

Our Nurse Co-Ordinator Team

Our team of Cancer Nurse Co-Ordinators bring their collective experience of working in the clinical area of oncology as well as clinical trials to support cancer patients and their families.

Their collective knowledge, experience and care is what ensures the mission and values of Cork ARC is brought to life and embedded in every service and support offered.

They coordinate the day to day running of the centre, meeting visitors face-to-face and on the phone. They will be your first point of contact and will ensure you feel welcome, and are safe and understood. The team are passionate about ensuring the support Cork ARC provides is person focused, and their experience of working with oncology patients brings an instant understanding to visitors.

They will listen and support you in dealing with the changes you are experiencing in your life, and provide an opportunity for you to speak and share the feelings and experiences you are going through. They can help you understand the landscape of cancer and the physical and emotional changes cancer may bring to your life. With our team of Cancer Nurse Co-Ordinators, you can voice any fears and uncertainties you may have. They are there to explore with you the services that will best support your needs. Their knowledge of cancer treatments and the side effects is coupled with our understanding of the physical, practical, social and financial effects of cancer. They bring understanding and compassion to each visitor and that is what makes our service holistic – allow our supports to be tailor made to meet your individual needs. They support our team of volunteer listeners and ensure that the best possible care is given to those who make contact with our centre.

Our Patron

We are lucky to have International Rugby Star, Simon Zebo, as patron of Cork ARC Cancer Support House, helping us to raise awareness of our services.

Through his work with Cork ARC, Simon understands the impact a cancer diagnosis has on a family, and strongly believes in the role our support services play as part of your overall approach to living with cancer.

I AM HONOURED TO BE THE PATRON OF CORK ARC CANCER SUPPORT HOUSE. THE SUPPORT CORK ARC HAS PROVIDED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE CORK AND GREATER MUNSTER AREA HAS MADE AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE TO ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY CANCER. I’M DELIGHTED TO PROUDLY WEAR THE CORK ARC JERSEY.

Testimonials

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The minute I walked in the door of Cork ARC, I felt a peace come over me. The house gave me a place where I could feel supported and safe.

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I walked a lot and was very fond of exercise, but I had never been to the gym. Being with other guys at the ‘Get Active’ programme really turned my life around. It’s like a new beginning.

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You could be sitting at home, saying you don’t want to do it, but the confidence Cork ARC gives you rubs off and you just end up doing it with the group.

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I could never draw or paint, yet Art Therapy allowed me to express more than I ever could have in words. I loved the freedom to play with the art materials.

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The minute I walked through the door I knew I had done the right thing, I felt myself relax.

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It helped to know that my grief is normal and that other people experience similar feelings.

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