Recorded and produced by Pa Lynch of Tralee-based Longwave Audio Longwave Audio, and sponsored by Gilroy’s Green Energy Ltd, the new podcast series is hosted by the charity’s client services coordinator, Siobhan MacSweeney, who speaks about the broad range of services available at Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House; chats with some service users about their experiences, along with health care professionals who sensitively outline what patients can expect when referred to oncology services.
Among those who sit down to chat with Siobhan are Tralee woman Karyn Moriarty, who details her own breast cancer story and highlights the support she received from Recovery Haven; Kilflynn mother Sarah Barry, who availed of the services of Recovery Haven after her young daughter Aleyah was diagnosed with cancer; along with Tarbert man, Dan Nolan, who chats about his extraordinary cancer journey – which saw him being place in an induced coma for over two months – and how, with the support from Recovery Haven, recovered from his ordeal.
Other special guests on the podcast include David Brennan of the Vicky Phelan Campaign and Portrait Tour who speaks about the purpose and impact of the national campaign, as well as his fond memories of his dear friend Vicky and the legacy she leaves behind, while Siobhan Sweeney and Sandra Murphy of University Hospital Kerry’s Oncology Department discuss the various treatments available at the chemotherapy unit and offer practical advice and information about at what you can expect when referred to oncology services.
The final two episodes in the series, meanwhile, feature Recovery Haven Kerry’s experienced psychotherapist, Kay Lynch, who speaks about the psychological and mental impact of a cancer diagnosis in a family, as well as Lynn Swinburne – senior health promotion officer with the HSE Ireland National Screening Service ) pictured here with Siobhan) – who outlines her role and discusses the range of cancer screenings currently available in Ireland.
Over two years in the making, that aim of the podcast series is to allow those experiencing cancer to learn a little bit more about the services available at Recovery Haven Kerry and encourage those who may not have previously availed of the charity’s services to consider doing so.
The podcast is available to listen to here: