JULY 2009
Air Travel available for Cancer patients
Chairperson for the Inishowen Cancer Support Group Mary Nolan,
wants to see more Inishowen cancer patients avail of the daily subsidised
shuttle service between the City of Derry and Dublin Airports.
Nolan, a volunteer with the Inishowen Cancer Support Group, is
concerned that not enough people are aware of the service and she
is encouraging cancer patients in Inishowen to contact her directly
if they would like to book a place on the aeroplane.
"This is a great service. For just €25.40 cancer sufferers
who have access to a medical card can get a return flight to Dublin.
The flight takes just 55 minutes, compared to around four hours
on the bus," she said.
The service, which is subsidised by the HSE, has been running for
a decade now but Nolan believes that more people could be taking
advantage of it."This service has been up and running for around
ten years now, but we in the Inishowen Cancer Support Group feel
that it's time to remind local people that it's there," said
Nolan, who added that most people heard about the service via word
of mouth.
Cancer patients routinely have to travel to Dublin hospitals such
as Beaumont and St. Luke's for radiotherapy and other treatment,
which can leave them weakened or feeling sick. In such cases a round
trip of at least eight hours by road can be tough to take, which
is why Nolan believes the flight option is such a Godsend.
"A lot of cancer patients need to go up to Dublin each week
for radiotherapy treatment. They may have to travel up on a Monday
morning and many need to come back on Friday nights. They may find
it easier if they take the plane from Eglinton. "I know that
there may be a few older people that do not want to travel on a
small aeroplane, but for a lot of other cancer patients this service
is much better than travelling to Dublin by road," said Mary
who has in the past left flyers advertising the service at GP's
surgeries around the peninsula. "The only criteria is that
you must have a medical card in order to get the flight for €25.40"
she added.
If you think you, or someone in your family who is receiving treatment
for cancer might wish to travel on this service to Dublin you should
get in touch with Mary Nolan. Her home number is 9383072. She can
also be reached by mobile 0866068757.
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