Irish Cancer Society partially reverses funding cut

The Irish Cancer Society has partially reversed its decision to end financial support for families affected by cancer.

The charity says it will maintain a fund for the families of children affected by cancer but support for adults will be discontinued, as previously announced.

The charity has been heavily criticised for its decision to cease the financial support programme, which last year gave €1.8 million to cancer patients who were facing financial hardship.

It said it deeply regretted and apologised for the upset caused and hoped that the latest announcement that financial support was being restored for more than 200 children and families affected by cancer each year will “ease that hurt”.

“Almost €200,000 will be needed this year to continue this fund but we will now work to find the savings necessary to ensure that this fund for children with cancer is maintained.”

Significant cuts

The society said it had already made significant cuts in expenditure, including cutting staff costs by other €750,000. Appealing for public support “now more than ever”, it said it was trying to do the best possible with the money raised from donations.

The original decision provoked scores of complaints on the charity’s Facebook page, where posters questioned why the society hadn’t reduced staff salaries as an alternative to ending the programme. Some vowed never to support the charity’s fundraising campaigns again.

Chief executive John McCormack earns €145,000 a year and seven staff earn more than €70,000. Communications and advocacy manager Kathleen O’Meara said the board in adopting an annual budget decided to end the programme but not to reduce salaries. Otherwise, it was facing a deficit of over €1 million for the year.

The charity’s main fundraising event, Daffodil Day, takes place on March 11th.