Two courageous cancer campaigners honoured
In honour of their work in the fight against cancer, Katherine Dolphin Griffin and Linda Goggin-James, both cancer care campaigners, have been named joint July Cork Persons of the Month.
Midleton-based teacher and cancer survivor Katherine is widely regarded in her local community as a strong role model through her endless campaign work. She is heavily involved in supporting local and national cancer charities researching life-changing cancer treatments.
Katherine and her father Joe underwent cancer treatment at the same time. She was diagnosed back in 2012 with thyroid cancer after experiencing tiredness and a change in her voice.
Her father sadly died from the disease in 2017, having battled for nine years.
In February 2022, Katherine launched her book on World Cancer Day 'Hope to Cope' in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and Marymount. Her book documents her journey of perseverance through difficult times of her cancer diagnosis.
Katherine has raised €100,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and Marymount Hospice. Katherine is also proudly funding a €50,000 salary for a PhD cancer researcher. She has now also set up her own organisation Hope to Cope which is a network community to support cancer survivors and also is an advocacy to improve services as well as fundraising.
Linda Goggin-James, of Cork Cancer Care Centre in Cork city was named Joint Cork Person of the Month, in recognition of her work in supporting the people of Cork through and beyond the trauma of a cancer diagnosis.
Linda, together with a team of volunteers and professionals, offers support, advice and a shoulder to lean on to all those touched by cancer. Those on the cancer journey and their families can receive free counselling as well as a range of holistic therapies free of charge.
The centre also facilitates a peer support group at their premises behind the purple door at 26 St Paul’s Avenue, off Lavitts Quay in Cork city.
Linda, from Ballincollig, started as a volunteer in the centre in 2014, became general manager in 2017, and CEO in 2021.
In 2022 the centre provided support for over 200 new cancer patients and their families, provided 483 counselling sessions, 523 holistic therapy sessions, 74 wigs and regular weekly peer support groups and yoga classes throughout the year, all free of charge. It also donated nearly 2,000 hand-crocheted blankets to cancer patients in hospitals across Cork and Munster.
Gráinne Farren, a Cork Cancer Care Centre Ambassador said: “I don’t think I can ever do justice to describing how special Linda Goggin-James and the Centre she runs are, other than to say that they were there for me and so many others during the most vulnerable times of our lives. Linda has helped to put a smile back on our faces, and to bring back the joy that cancer borrowed.“
Katherine Dolphin Griffin and Linda Goggin-James names will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Persons of the Year at the annual gala awards lunch in January 2024.