David Ryan
Chairperson
The Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) was founded on a challenge from Lucilla Hyland, a young woman diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer in 2001 who sadly lost her hard fought battle. Lucilla envisioned that everyone affected by Oesophageal Cancer receives the earliest and best support and treatment possible. Lucilla wanted there to be better awareness of Oesophageal Cancer - the risks and symptoms - to deliver early diagnosis and successful treatments.
Lucilla’s friends realised her vision, setting up The Oesophageal Cancer Fund in 2001 and their hard work and determination has made The Oesophageal Cancer Fund the organisation it is today.
VISION
The Oesophageal Cancer Fund is the national charity for Oesophageal Cancer in Ireland; bringing the good fight to a bad cancer.
The Vision of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund is that everyone affected by Oesophageal Cancer receives the earliest and best support and treatment possible. We are committed to creating better awareness of Oesophageal Cancer, and its risks and symptoms, to deliver early diagnosis and successful treatments.
MISSION
The Mission of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund is to foster a culture of partnership by working directly with people affected by Oesophageal Cancer, their families, clinicians, researchers, volunteers and other support and advocacy organisations to improve the experiences of and outcomes for people with Oesophageal Cancer. Together we aim to do so by providing dedicated support, raising awareness, engaging in research and advancing knowledge to support the early detection and prevention of Oesophageal Cancer.
VALUES
The Oesophageal Cancer Fund’s core values are inspired by Lucilla Hyland and who she was as a person.
They are expressed in all that we do.
Our Values;
We are Courageous – We stand up for what is right and face challenges with determination to get things done.
We are Collaborative – We thrive when working together.
We Empower - We recognise and celebrate potential.
We are Tenacious – We find a way, with energy, drive and enthusiasm.
We Inspire – We nurture new possibilities, input, ideas and ways of working.
We want to ensure that we work in the best interests of those affected by Oesophageal Cancer and Barrett’s Oesophagus and we are determined to make progress within our areas of strategic priority and deliver positive impact for people affected by Oesophageal Cancer, their families and carers.
The organisational impact we want to make, while working alongside our partners is to;
Truly support and reflect the patient experience of Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Cancer in Ireland
Raise awareness of Oesophageal Cancer in the public mind
Reduce the incidence of Oesophageal Cancer focusing on Oesophageal Cancer prevention
Enhance survivorship by increasing early diagnosis of Oesophageal Cancer
Ensure holistic support for everyone affected Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Cancer
Advance knowledge of Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Cancer that will deliver early diagnosis and tailored and successful treatments
Our Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026 defines the main goals and objectives of the work of The Oesophageal Cancer Fund. The focus of our Strategic Plan is on reflecting patient experiences and need, Partnership Working, Empowering patients, their families and carers and promoting and engaging in Innovation and improvement in terms of patient and family support, advancing knowledge and early diagnosis and successful treatments.
The Oesophageal Cancer Fund’s strategic plan was developed through consultation with other support organisations in the sector and key stakeholders within the medical field as well as patients and family members, our volunteers and supporters. It is an ambitious plan with four key focus areas that will guide our work over the next 5 years.
Patients, Carers and Families
Awareness, Prevention and Early Intervention
Leading Edge Research
Organisation Structure, Governance and Financial Sustainability
Our Theory of Change describes how the Oesophageal Cancer Fund manages impact and the change that we want to achieve over time for the benefit of those affected by Oesophageal Cancer - patients, survivors, family members and caregivers.
“I have been a patron of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund since losing my father to the disease in 2006.
The fantastic work the charity does in raising funds to support research into Oesophageal Cancer, identifying new treatments and enhancing survivorship is vitally important.
I am proud to continue to support the cause, to help raise awareness of the symptoms of Oesophageal Cancer, that range from difficulty in swallowing, persistent acid indigestion to unexpected weight loss, and to encourage people to seek help as soon as they notice symptoms, as early detection is a key factor in surviving this difficult disease.”
Padraig as Patron is a great supporter of the work of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and actively promotes Lollipop Day, the designated day in February each year for raising funds and awareness of Oesophageal Cancer in Ireland.
The Oesophageal Cancer Fund is made up of a small, dedicated core team. However the organisation could not function without the volunteers, donors, supporters, researchers, medical professionals, patients and survivors. Who together give time, energy and money to help you, or your loved one, live well with this bad cancer.
There are a great number of ways that you can choose to get involved with the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and volunteering is a fantastic way to do so!
Though we have a very small core team, much of our work in the community is carried out by dedicated volunteers - our own team of true everyday heroes.
Thanks to volunteers giving their time & energy, we are continuing to expand the scope of our work and are always seeking volunteers for current and future opportunities.
By choosing to volunteer your time, you can help us to realise our vision - that anyone affected by Oesophageal Cancer can access the earliest and best support and treatment possible.