Last year while working at The Balmoral Show, Dearbhla and I had the pleasure of chatting with Gareth Kirk, the Chief Executive of Action Cancer. We chatted about my work and the different charities we had fund raised for.
A few months ago I received an email from Action Cancer asking me would I be able to paint a portrait of their founder for their new premises in Belfast. Obviously I jumped at the chance to donate some of my work to a charity that works to prevent and detect cancer as well as support patients and their families living with a cancer diagnosis. Cancer is something that has come into both Dearbhla and my families, and is something that almost everyone has been touched by.
Dr George Edelstyn, an oncologist at Belvoir Park Hospital founded Action Cancer in 1973, with the purpose of funding research into chemotherapy as well as providing support to patients and their families during the treatment processes. Dr Edelstyn was the pioneer of combination cancer chemotherapy.
Today Action Cancer supports people through cancer awareness, prevention and detection. Since 1973 their services have and continue to expand;
Digital Breast Screening
Support & Therapeutic Services
M.O.T. Health Checks
Health Promotion Programmes
Action Cancer is now based at 20 Windsor Avenue which was once home to Titanic designer Thomas Andrews.
Dearbhla and I recently had the pleasure of touring the building and seeing the state of the art facilities available to those who need it.
With only black and white photos of Dr Edelstyn available, producing this portrait was a challenge but one that filled me with great satisfaction once complete.
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