Fundraising night planned to support Meath cancer survivors

A major fundraising night in support of local cancer survivors will take place next month, with the Meath Cancer Support Group organising an evening of entertainment at the Newgrange Hotel, Navan, on Saturday, 17th January.

The event will feature a live auction, music bingo, raffles and a performance from local singer Lauren Carroll, with organisers encouraging the community to come out and support efforts to secure a permanent home for the group.

The initiative is being led by Kildalkey mum and cancer survivor Rachel Mullen, who founded the peer-support group after her own battle with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer and discovery of a BRCA2 gene mutation. Rachel says having a dedicated local space is essential for people navigating life after treatment.

“It’s not just the treatment, it’s what comes after,” she said. “When you look in the mirror, your hair’s not the same, your body’s not the same. People need support — someone who’s on the pitch with them, not on the sidelines.”

The group currently holds its weekly sessions at Trim Family Resource Centre, which Rachel describes as “a lifeline” for survivors who would otherwise have nowhere to go. “The Resource Centre gave us an opportunity that no other resource had done. It’s been amazing to have somewhere to meet and support people in the area,” she said.

Rachel previously had the chance to highlight the group’s work and its need for a permanent base when she met President Catherine Connolly during the President’s visit to Trim last month. Speaking at that event, she shared the challenges faced by survivors in Meath. “There’s nothing locally for people who’ve been diagnosed. Travelling to Dublin or other towns isn’t practical it can take a whole day just to get there and back,” she said.

The group’s weekly meetings have grown steadily, offering everything from exercise sessions and skincare advice to mindfulness and sound meditation. “Each meeting is different. We had four new people join last month. Some come back, some drop off, but everyone’s journey matters,” Rachel said.

The group has also begun offering small but meaningful acts of support to newly diagnosed patients, such as providing comfort blankets. “We put a post out asking if anyone knew someone recently diagnosed, and people reached out. It’s those little things that make a huge difference,” she said.

Rachel credits her co-leaders, Dara and Sharon, for helping to build the growing support network. “It’s a team effort. I couldn’t do half of this without them,” she said.

Further information is available on the Meath Cancer Support Group’s social media channels.