It has been a year filled with many memorable times, challenges and success’s

We have seen people who were very much part of DACC leave us, while new people joined and indeed some who had been absent for awhile returned.

The journey to secure improved cancer services for the people of Donegal and their families is a slow one. I ask is that because we in DACC are not working aswell as we could or is it that those who are in positions to influence decisions and services, the Government, the HSE and our politicians, do not put a value on our lives in Donegal?

We in DACC have worked very hard and indeed tirelessly to have the needs of cancer patients heard. Sometimes we may not get it right but I can honestly say that at no time have we worked outside of our objectives.

 Change can bring its own difficulties and we must also remember that many of our members are indeed themselves cancer patients or the families of patients. This means that their will be times when it can be difficult for people to be as active within the organisation as they would wish. This is okay. Our Ethos is one of Respect for Everybody.

When we held the Awareness Rally in May 06, 15,000 people united to say in silence that they had, had enough and wanted a value put on their lives. For us this is the day that the people of Donegal gave DACC the mandate to work on their behalf. That day we definitely got it right.

Again on the 23^rd June over 1000 people all ages, stood outside Letterkenny General Hospital from 10pm to 12 midnight on a Friday night in a silent Candlelight Vigil. Even the babies and young children were quiet, caught up in the silent emotional wave of solidarity. 

People walked around the car park with their candles hosting a pink ribbon, in silent procession, each following the other in a dignified and respectful manner

There has on occasion been controversy over our approach of“researching all possibilities” and “ruling nothing in and nothing out”.

I ask” if you are, or a member of your family is a cancer sufferer or indeed you were to be diagnosed with cancer tomorrow, would you want DACC to say “No” to the possibility of improved cancer services, without investigating if it would serve the needs of the community? In the words of my co-chair Noel, “if it saved one life, would we say that we shouldn’t have been open to looking at the possibilities?

Work continues within DACC on a daily basis with phone calls, letters being sent to relevant people and organisations, follow up letters, following up on the appointment of the permanent Breast Surgeon through its different stages, helping cancer patients and their families with queries/ concerns, keeping abreast of developments in cancer services but to name a few things.

As we start another year, we ask that you renew your commitment to helping us secure improved cancer services for the people of Donegal by joining us at Executive level, on a Sub Committee, at your local committee or to help us start and support people in areas where there are no DACC local committees.

I wish to extend my very sincere thanks to the members of the Executive Committee and the Action Strategy Committee for all their hard work aswell as to each and every one who has helped in way. This I think is best said in the letter of thanks we issued as part of our 2^nd Birthday Celebrations and we have included it in our report at the back.

As we now take on the task of electing a new executive, I wish them all the best for the incoming year and offer them our ongoing support.

I know that together we can bring about change for cancer patients and that hopefully the journey will continue long after we are all gone.

Thank you.

Lynn Mc Devitt

“ Remember; One in Three people in Donegal will develop cancer.”

List of meetings held:

• Monthly County Committee meetings held in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
   
• Action Strategy Sub Committee meetings ongoing.
   
• Executive Committee meetings ongoing
   
• Information Booklet meetings ongoing.
   
• May 06: Met with Dr O’ Dowd and Dr Duffy.
   
• 29^th May 06: Met with An Tanaiste Mary Harney.
   
• August 06: Meetings with FAS regarding part time worker.
   
• September 06 : Met with Mr Alan Moran, Dr O’Driscoll, Dr O’ Dowd, Dr Mc Gowan.
   
• September 06 : Met with Ms Liz Mc Manus, Labour Party
  
  Oct 06: Met with Mr Enda Kenny.
   
• 31^st Oct and 13^th Nov 06 : Met with Sinn Fein Caoimhghin O’Caolin TD,Spokesperson on Health & Children. Mr Pearse Doherty, Mr Padraig Mac Lochlainn, Mr Tony Mc Daid, Mr Gerry Mc Monagle, Mr Thomas Pringle.
  
  Nov 06: Met with Dr Barry Bitman.
  Dec 06 & Jan 07 : Met with Mr Sean Staunton, Comhairle.
   
• Met with Deirdre Grant X 4 meetings.
   
• Feb 07 :Met with Marian Harkin MEP.
   
• 29th March 07 :Met with an Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
   
• 10th May 07 :The Marie Keating Foundation accept DACC’s invite to visit Donegal.
   
• 18th May 07: Met with Mr Enda Kenny and Joe Mc
  Hugh.   
• Ongoing telephone calls to local politicians, Mr Alan Moran, HSE, Mr Sean Murphy, Hospital Manager, LGH. To Belfast Hospital, to Galway University Hospital, phone calls in connection with queries cancer patients have at their request.