Cancer Care West

What Cancer Care West does

Cancer Care West is a registered Irish charity and company limited by guarantee (founded 1993 as The Leukaemia Trust; operating as Cancer Care West since 2006) that delivers community-based practical and emotional support services free of charge to anyone affected by cancer across the West and Northwest of Ireland. Service delivery is anchored on three physical sites: the Galway Cancer Support Centre (72 Seamus Quirke Road, Westside, Galway), the Donegal Cancer Support Centre (Station House, Letterkenny, opened 2017), and Inis Aoibhinn — a free residential facility on the grounds of University Hospital Galway providing weekday accommodation for patients receiving radiotherapy. A transport service (the Mayo Bus, launched 2019) extends reach to County Mayo patients. The service portfolio comprises four pillars: Individual Support for Adults (oncology nursing, psychology, counselling, complementary therapies, manual lymphatic drainage, benefits advice), Group Supports and Classes (yoga, art therapy, support groups including the Stanford-derived Cancer: Thriving and Surviving programme), Supports for Children (individual counselling, therapeutic play, the CLIMB six-week programme for ages 6-12 with a parent diagnosed with cancer, and the manualised online CUBS bereavement programme for ages 8-12), and Physical Rehabilitation and Exercise via a dedicated gym (launched 2018). Notable differentiated programmes include CUBS and CLIMB (manualised, evidence-based paediatric bereavement and family-cancer support), and the EU4HEALTH-funded MELODIC research project addressing young-adult (18-35) mental health post-diagnosis in partnership with 13 European institutions.

The business model is charitable donations-driven: 69% of funding comes from public donations and fundraising (including flagship events like the Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim, which has raised nearly €2M over 20 years), with the balance from grants, legacies, and bequests. All services to patients and families are free of charge; the charity reports that 79 cents of every euro raised is spent directly on patient services, against an annual operating cost of over €1.5 million. Distribution operates through direct-to-patient channels at physical sites (self-referral, drop-in, and HCP referral forms), remote counselling, and the in-house Mayo Bus service. Customer segments are horizontal: cancer patients (primary), family members/carers, children and adolescents affected directly or indirectly, and cancer survivors in transition from active treatment. The organisation is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors chaired by Mr Gerry Burke, with Richard Flaherty as CEO since 2009.

Name

Cancer Care West

Legal name

Cancer Care West

Website

https://cancercarewest.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Care West is a registered Irish charity providing free, community-based practical and emotional cancer support services to patients, families, and children across the West and Northwest of Ireland through three physical sites and the Mayo Bus transport service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support and Psychosocial Care Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO), End-of-Life Emotional & Spiritual Support (Chaplaincy/Counseling) In-Home (HSABAFAH)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Psychosocial oncology care
• Cancer patient accommodation
• Bereavement support programs
• Community health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Galway

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Cancer Care West relies heavily on donations from individuals and corporate supporters. The organization receives 69% of funding from public fundraising and donations. Donations can be one-off or regular monthly contributions.
2. Fundraising Events: The organization organizes and benefits from various fundraising events including the Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim, Run Galway Bay, Dublin Marathon places, Women's Mini Marathon, and community-organized events. The Galway Bay Swim has raised nearly €2 million over 20 years.
3. Legacies and Bequests: Individuals can leave gifts to Cancer Care West in their wills. Legacies include residuary legacies (percentage share of estate) and pecuniary legacies (specific sum or item). Legacies to charities are tax free in Ireland.
4. Tax Efficient Giving (CHY3): For donations of €250 or more, Cancer Care West can claim 31% tax relief back from Revenue, making a €250 donation worth €362 to the organization at no extra cost to the donor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cancer Care West provides professional community-based practical and emotional support services, free of charge, to anyone affected by cancer in the West and Northwest of Ireland. The organization operates two cancer support centres (Galway and Donegal), a residential accommodation facility (Inis Aoibhinn) for radiotherapy patients, a transport service (Mayo Bus), and delivers individual and group psychosocial, psychological, physical rehabilitation, complementary therapy, and bereavement support services across the cancer journey.

Product overview

Cancer Care West is a charitable organization providing professional community-based practical and emotional support services free of charge to anyone affected by cancer in the West and Northwest of Ireland. The organization operates a portfolio of coordinated services organized around its three main locations: the Galway Cancer Support Centre, the Donegal Cancer Support Centre, and Inis Aoibhinn Accommodation at University Hospital Galway. Core service pillars include Individual Support for Adults (nursing, psychology, counselling, complementary therapies, manual lymphatic drainage, benefits advice), Group Supports and Classes (yoga, art therapy, support groups), Supports for Children (counselling, therapeutic play, CLIMB, CUBS programmes), and Physical Rehabilitation and Exercise. Additional services include the Mayo Bus transport service, HCP referral system, and educational resources. All services are provided free of charge and are designed to be inclusive, accessible, and responsive to patient needs at any point in the cancer journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Galway Cancer Support Centre Professional community-based cancer support centre offering individual and group psychosocial supports, nursing information, psychology and counselling, physical rehabilitation, and complementary therapies for adults, families, and children affected by cancer. Located at 72 Seamus Quirke Road, Galway.
• Donegal Cancer Support Centre Professional cancer support centre offering individual and group supports, psychology and counselling, complementary therapies, and various classes for adults affected by cancer. Located at Station House, Pearse Rd, Letterkenny.
• Inis Aoibhinn Accommodation Residential facility located on the grounds of University Hospital Galway providing free accommodation for cancer patients receiving radiotherapy treatment, with support available for family members. Provided Monday to Friday.
• Mayo Bus Service Transport service for Mayo cancer patients who travel to University Hospital Galway for radiotherapy treatment, transporting patients to Inis Aoibhinn on Mondays and home on Fridays.
• Supports for Children Comprehensive support services for children and adolescents aged 3-18 impacted by cancer, including individual counselling, therapeutic play, parent/caregiver support, CLIMB programme, and CUBS bereavement support programme.
• Physical Rehabilitation and Exercise Service Specialised exercise and rehabilitation service for cancer patients before, during, and after treatment, featuring a dedicated gym, fitness assessments, gym sessions, flexibility classes, and Alexander Technique sessions.
• Individual Support for Adults One-to-one psychosocial supports including psychological therapy, oncology nursing advice, individualised fitness assessments, benefits advice, and complementary therapies for adults at any point in the cancer journey. Includes nursing support, psychology and counselling, complementary therapies (reflexology, massage, acupuncture), manual lymphatic drainage, benefits advisory, brain tumour support, prosthesis fitting, and drop-in service.
• Group Supports and Classes for Adults Weekly classes and peer support groups including yoga, art therapy, gym sessions, salsa classes, women's and men's support groups, Multiple Myeloma support group, and Cancer: Thriving and Surviving self-management programme for adults affected by cancer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,100 people supported at Galway Cancer Support Centre in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Cancer Control ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Funding partner for the development of the CUBS programme (Children Unite in Bereavement Support). Also collaborated on the Multiple Myeloma survivorship research project. The National Cancer Control Programme provides funding for psychosocial cancer care initiatives.
• University of GalwaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborates on research projects including the Multiple Myeloma survivorship intervention study. Also involved in the MELODIC project for young adult cancer patients. The university provides academic oversight and research expertise.
• University Hospital GalwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInis Aoibhinn is located on the grounds of University Hospital Galway. Provides radiotherapy treatment and makes referrals to Cancer Care West services. Psycho-Oncology service developed in partnership with the hospital.
• Letterkenny University HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for Donegal Cancer Support Centre services. Psycho-Oncology service established at the hospital in 2017.
• MELODIC Consortium (13 European Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 13 European partners in the MELODIC project funded under the EU4HEALTH programme. Project aims to promote mental health and wellbeing of young adults (18-35 years) with cancer and their family members during the first-year post-cancer diagnosis.
• National University of Ireland Galway (Hardiman Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished Cancer Care West Hardiman Scholarships in 2012 to support translational and clinical research in cancer biology and therapeutics. €1m donated for Hardiman Research Scholarships.
• Alma CareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides specialist aftercare service and supplies mastectomy wear. Holds appointment-only fitting service clinics at Cancer Care West locations.
• Look Good Feel BetterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational charity that partners with Cancer Care West Donegal to deliver quarterly sessions improving wellbeing and confidence for people undergoing cancer treatment.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves19 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maggie's Centres: UK charity operating drop-in centres attached to major cancer hospitals, offering free psychological, practical and social support — closest international analogue to Cancer Care West's hospital-anchored, community-based support model.
• ARC Cancer Support Centres: Dublin-based charity operating drop-in cancer support centres offering psychological, emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer — a directly comparable community-based psychosocial support model to Cancer Care West.
• Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre: Drogheda-based community cancer support centre providing free psychosocial, complementary and practical support services — directly comparable peer in service scope and charity-supported delivery model.
• Hope Cancer Support Centre: Midlands-based community cancer support centre offering free counselling, therapies and support groups to those affected by cancer — comparable community-based, free-of-charge service model.
• Purple House Cancer Support: Bray-based community cancer support centre providing free counselling, complementary therapies and group support to cancer patients and families — same operating model, complementary geographic footprint.

Regional players

• Cancer Focus Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland cancer charity providing counselling, support groups and complementary therapies across the region — directly comparable psychosocial support services with a cross-border, adjacent regional footprint.
• Rosemere Cancer Foundation: Northwest England cancer charity funding treatment, equipment and patient support services; comparable regional-focus, hospital-anchored support model, but different primary remit.

Broad incumbents

• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK-wide cancer charity providing information, financial and emotional support; broader scale and national reach, but overlapping service categories (psychosocial support, information, end-of-life support) make it a strong comparable.
• Irish Cancer Society: Ireland's largest national cancer charity, funding research, support services and advocacy nationwide. Overlaps with Cancer Care West in psychosocial support and in competing for the same donor pool, but operates at far greater national scale.
• Marie Keating Foundation: National Irish cancer charity focused on cancer awareness and support services. Comparable in mission and donor base; overlaps with Cancer Care West on community cancer support and competes for fundraising share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/cancercarewest
• Xx.com/cancercarewest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cancer Care West