This is a national fundraising event where emphasis is placed upon raising awareness and seeking help advice sooner rather than later. Recognising the symptoms and acting upon them as soon as possible and seeking early intervention is an key aspect of surviving most cancers.

A total of €1600.00 was collected from a two day collection in February at SuperValu Fitzpatricks supermarket Ennistymon. A huge thanks to the management and staff of SuperValu for the assistance and support shown over the two days.

This charity is of special significance to one of our teachers, who is a survivor of Oesophageal Cancer and wants to raise awareness of how essential early intervention is to the survival of this cancer.

About the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF)

Established in 2001 the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) is a registered charity and voluntary organisation, which has grown to be the national voice representing oesophageal cancer in Ireland.

The aim is to raise awareness of the symptoms related to oesophageal cancer and to provide funding for research into the disease

To date OCF has invested over €1 million in awareness driving campaigns to increase the public’s knowledge of the symptoms that can be early warning signs. About 450 cases of oesophageal cancer occur in Ireland each year. Approximately 70% of patients have oesophageal cancer symptoms for more than three months before talking to their GP. We want to change this; as early detection can be vital in saving lives  

The main fundraising event is the annual Lollipop Day, which takes place at the end of February each year

 A pink lollipop is the emblem for the campaign and highlights the most common symptom of suspicion of oesophageal cancer - difficulty swallowing