Cancer survivors given a different voice

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN CANCER survivors from all parts of Galway and Mayo are getting together and celebrating their survival through song. Something to Sing About (STSA) is a recently launched network of choirs for cancer survivors, which was launched in Galway last week. Dr Paul Donnellan, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Galway University Hospitals and Mayo General Hospital, came up with the idea and it has attracted a huge interest, even from people living abroad.[private] There are six STSA centres in the West of Ireland so far, in Castlebar, Westport, Ennis, Ballinasloe, Galway and Belmullet. It's understood that one is about to be established in Tuam as well as at the Galway Clinic and in Sligo. 'The idea is very simple. All one needs is a group of cancer survivors, a musical director, a room in which to meet and a computer connected to the internet so that the instructions regarding musical works in progress can be downloaded,' explained Dr Donnellan, a native of Moylough. 'I have been amazed at the interest and support we have garnered to date. Not only do we have support groups joining us with choirs brimming full of enthusiastic singers, we have received very generous offers of support,' he added. He said STSA celebrates the fact that most patients diagnosed with common cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer, turn out to be cancer survivors. 'There are more cancer survivors alive at this moment than at any other time in the history of the world. This is surely something to sing about. 'Cancer survivors continue to need ongoing support, especially from fellow-survivors, and choir practice can be therapeutic. 'I hope that the choirs will coalesce and perform concerts on a regular basis, the proceeds of which will go towards patient support and cancer research,' said the Galway consultant. The first large scale concert by the group is planned for Easter Sunday next year and in the meantime, the choir in Galway University Hospitals will be holding a carol service in December. Just over 100 singer survivors from five different STSA centres in the West of Ireland took part in the first rehearsal and launch of the network in Galway last week. For more information on getting involved visit www.stsa.ie. [/private]