Watch Ana Wilkinson chief executive at friends of the Cancer Center talk with Payaz
Supporting people with cancer across Northern Ireland for over 40 years
Since 1985, Friends of the Cancer Centre has been at the heart of supporting patients and families affected by cancer in Northern Ireland. Based in the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, the charity has spent more than four decades providing care, comfort and vital services to people facing a cancer diagnosis, as well as their loved ones.
The impact of Friends of the Cancer Centre can be seen in so many different ways. The charity helps fund clinical nurse specialists who walk alongside patients through the ups and downs of treatment, providing expert guidance and emotional reassurance. It also supports physical activity coaches and healthcare staff, ensuring that people living with cancer have access to specialist support that improves quality of life during and after treatment.
Alongside care, the charity plays a vital role in advancing research by funding infrastructure for the Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Network. This gives local patients access to cutting-edge treatments and trials that may otherwise be unavailable. At the same time, Friends of the Cancer Centre continues to focus on small but meaningful comforts for patients, such as providing a free tea or coffee while waiting for treatment — a simple gesture that can make a difficult day just that little bit easier. The charity also runs awareness campaigns, such as Breast Bud and Talking Balls, which raise awareness of breast and testicular cancer and encourage early detection.
None of this work would be possible without the generosity of local people, businesses, sports clubs and community groups who have supported the charity for over 40 years. Every donation makes a difference, whether it’s helping to fund specialist staff or providing comfort and care for patients and their families.
Friends of the Cancer Centre has also embraced new ways of making giving easier by using Payaz contactless donation devices. These devices have been a game-changer at fundraising events and within the Cancer Centre itself, allowing supporters to make donations quickly and simply with just a tap. Chief Executive A. Wilkinson explained, “Payaz has been fantastic for us to use at events. It enables our donors and supporters to give in a really straightforward way. It just makes that donor experience a little bit easier, and we’re so grateful to have it.”
The difference even a small donation can make is striking. For example, just £5 provides 23 cups of tea or coffee for people undergoing treatment at the Cancer Centre — a small act of kindness that goes a long way in helping patients feel cared for and supported.
As Friends of the Cancer Centre looks to the future, it remains committed to delivering life-changing support for patients and families across Northern Ireland. With the continued generosity of the public and the help of partners like Payaz, the charity can keep providing vital services, funding essential research, and ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.
To find out more about Friends of the Cancer Centre, visit here https://www.friendsofthecancercentre.com/