Elaine Crowley has opened up about losing several family members to cancer, most recently her young nephew.
The TV presenter is calling on the public to show their support for the Irish Cancer Society’s range of services, including their Night Nursing service, ahead of this Christmas season.
Elaine’s father Sean passed away when she was 23, after being diagnosed with liposarcoma, a rare and incurable cancer.
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In 2021, her beloved mum Mary V passed away due to lung cancer and her family were devastated once more when most recently, her nephew Ultan died from a rare form of cancer in 2023 at the age of only 11.
“Each year in Ireland, around 9,500 lives are lost to cancer,” said Elaine. “It is an incredibly difficult time of the year for anybody to be thinking about loved ones you have lost, and for me it will be no different. Cancer has touched my life an awful lot over the years. I sadly lost my dad Sean and mum, Mary V, to cancer, and more recently my nephew Ultan, who was only eleven years old.
“For many people this Christmas, they will be faced with saying a final goodbye to a loved one. The Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing Service is there all year round, including Christmas time, so that cancer patients coming towards the end of life can spend their final days at home with loved ones. This is such a special service, and I know firsthand how valuable this time with your loved one is. I encourage anybody who is thinking of giving this Christmas to donate anything you can to support the wonderful work of the Irish Cancer Society and their Night Nurses. The work they do, the support they give, and the positive impact this can have for families is incredibly important.”
Kerry woman Lucy O’Shea opened up about how the Night Nurse service helped her family when they needed it most.
“In April 2023, our lovely dad Tim O’Shea, passed away quietly at home just before midnight, from cancer,” she said. “I feel there aren’t any words to describe the precious gift the Night Nurses gave our family. Until you need their support – until you feel their warmth and witness their amazing expertise – you don’t really understand just how incredible they are. We just knew that Dad was going to be totally, and tenderly, taken care of. Today, as Christmas approaches, I’m reminded that Dad adored this time of year. This Christmas season, we will be remembering him and the time we shared together. I urge anyone who can, please donate to the Irish Cancer Society, so that every family can avail of the same vital support we had.”
The public can support vital services for cancer patients this Christmas, including the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service, at cancer.ie/ christmas.
English (US) ·