This article is from page 39 of the 2008-12-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 39 JPG
OF THE many fears and traumas facing patients who have been diag- nosed with cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy loom large.
While the therapy is a life-saving one, many patients and particularly women patients, dread the hair loss that often goes hand in hand with the treatment.
It was why plucky Kilkishen woman, Anne Henry, decided that she would turn something that was personally quite negative into some-
thing which would be positive for many people who are battling the disease.
“IT was diagnosed with cancer on April 4 last and I was told I would be having chemotherapy”, said the mother of three.
“I knew that one side effect of the treatment is that my hair would probably fall out so I decided to do a sponsored head-shave before that happened.”
Anne had her head shaved after the first session of chemo but while she still had her locks.
“I did feel bad about losing it – I had quite long hair but hopefully it will grow back. I’m told it will grow back, but it takes a while after the chemo is finished.”
Anne’s head shave raised an amaz- ing €5,380, money which is going to unit 2 C in the Midwest Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.
The unit has been accepting pa- tients for some time now but it will have its official opening later this week.
“It’s a fabulous new facility for people who are seriously ill. It has
plasma screen TV’s, very comforta- ble rooms and it’s much more homely than an ordinary hospital ward’, said Anne.
Now that Anne is happily finished her treatment and on the road to re- covery, she decided that on Saturday, she would have a gathering in Gal- lagher’s bar in Kilkishen for friends, family and neighbours who support- ed her.
“I wanted people to know how much was raised and where the money was going. Everyone was so good’, she told