THE BAR AND BOOM FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this year The Bar of Northern Ireland collaborated with our Charity of the Year, the Boom Foundation to raise awareness and funds to support local children and families.

Sarcomas make up 15% of all childhood cancers (0-14 years) and 11% of all cancer diagnoses in teenagers and young people (15-24 years). During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month the Bar of Northern Ireland hosted a Coffee and Cake Morning to welcome our members back to the new legal year with £700 raised in only a few short hours.

The Bar also supported ‘Blues on the Barge’, a blues music evening held on the Belfast Barge at Lanyon Place. Members met fellow Boom Foundation supporters and enjoy drinks and music in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Members can now look ahead to the Annual Charity Black Tie Ball on Saturday 26^th November in the Culloden Hotel which promises to be a special night and aims to raise as much
as possible for the Boom Foundation.

While the Boom Foundation works with all age groups, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month gives the charity an opportunity to spotlight the efforts it makes specifically for young people and their families. For children diagnosed with sarcoma and who are receiving treatment during their GCSE or A Level examinations, the Boom Foundation fund private tuition so that they can continue with their studies in the comfort of their own home. The charity also contributes towards fuel costs for all patients in the winter months.

Leona Rankin, Director of the Boom Foundation said:

“We want to provide our patients with practical help and support which will make a difference to their lives at a very difficult time. The week before she lost her battle to sarcoma in August 2016 Katherine Neill (18) received her A-level results and achieved an A and an A* grade, despite spending the last year in and out of hospital.

Katherine was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in July 2015. Whilst she was too unwell to study at school, with the help of the Boom Foundation, she was tutored at home and was able to sit two A-levels in Maths and Psychology in June 2015.”

For more information please contact: Leona Rankin, Boom Foundation info@theboomfoundation.co.uk