Action Cancer's Livestock Auction Raises Over £18,000 for Skin Cancer Detection Services

Strategic Insights -

Action Cancer's inaugural livestock auction, organized by Dee Heron, an Action Cancer Skin Cancer Ambassador, and his family, successfully raised over £18,215 in 2024. This year's auction, held at the Saintfield Livestock Mart, follows the 2023 auction that raised £15,000. The event is crucial for Action Cancer's skin cancer detection service, offering essential support to those in Northern Ireland.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dee Heron, a farmer and Action Cancer Skin Cancer Ambassador, has organized the livestock auction for several years, with the goal of raising funds for Action Cancer's skin cancer detection service.
  • The 2024 auction raised £18,215, exceeding the 2023 total of £15,000.
  • Action Cancer's skin cancer detection service provides a two-stage process for early detection, including virtual and face-to-face appointments.
  • The service is delivered by a highly qualified and experienced nursing specialist team, offering free assessments to clients in Northern Ireland.
  • Action Cancer provides a range of free services, including breast cancer screening, therapeutic services, and health improvement services, but relies on donations to cover the £4 million annual cost of these services.
  • The charity's Big Bus visits over 200 locations across Northern Ireland each year, offering breast cancer screening, health checks, and skin cancer detection services to rural areas and areas of high deprivation.

Statistics:

  • £18,215 raised in 2024, exceeding the 2023 total of £15,000.
  • Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer in Northern Ireland.
  • Melanoma, associated with moles, is the fifth most common cancer in Northern Ireland.
  • Action Cancer's skin cancer detection service is anticipated to provide at least 150 appointments for early detection.
  • The Big Bus visits reach over 200 locations in Northern Ireland each year, including rural areas.

Sources:

  • Action Cancer's website
  • Dee Heron, Action Cancer Skin Cancer Ambassador, as quoted in the article
  • Mark Irwin-Watson, Community Fundraising Executive for Action Cancer, as quoted in the article