OCF Annual Report and a Dozen Reasons to Read it 

1. For families affected by oesophageal cancer there are inspiring stories from Dr. Andrew Kelly (Louth/Scotland), Gillian Schorman (Dublin), Breedge Conway (Kildare/Sligo), Jamie Timoney (Galway/Donegal), to name but a few.
2. For families who’ve lost loved ones to this cancer, a reminder that they are not forgotten and that OCF is built on the grief of friends and families who wanted to help others, starting with Lucilla Hyland’s story, the inspiration for the charity, and amplified by our wonderful Patron Padraig Harrington whose father died from this cancer over 20 years ago.  We thank all of you for inspiring hope for others by sharing your story and by helping us to raise awareness of the symptoms and why early detection really matters.
3. For supporters of OCF – past, present, future – and or our 2,000 volunteers nationwide, this report shows where the money goes at OCF in funding research, driving awareness to improve early detection and our regional patient support programme.  For a small charity we have a big impact and we have the KPIs (key performance indicators) to prove it – check out our Traffic Light Dashboard linking our vision and mission to our strategy and impact.
4. For everyone who has bought a lollipop over the years, to fund our Barrett’s Research programme, Professor John Reynolds’ commentary and how this research investment is now paying dividends and saving lives is a must read.  This is our ‘proof of concept’ our rationale for investing €2.5m into research and how those Lollies Save Lives.
5. To our funders in the National Cancer Control Programme, Community Foundation, the Ireland Funds, the National Lottery, the Hospital Saturday Fund, Cork Street Fund and to the anonymous donors too – thank you.  We couldn’t do what we do without you, and we hope that this report shows real impact for you.
6. To our Community of Care, right across the country, the hospital teams, the GPs and pharmacists and local cancer centres, the Irish Cancer Society, the Marie Keating Foundation, OG Cancer Northern Ireland we thank you for your collaboration, with the patient front and centre.
7. To our Research Partners at St. James’s Trinity, Beaumont Hospital, University Hospital Galway, The Mercy Cork, Queen’s University and through the All Ireland Cancer Network, Breakthrough Cancer Research, Precision Oncology, Research Ireland and Health Research Charities Ireland – this report highlights the importance of research for our community, and why our Barrett’s Registry and Biobank, funded by OCF for over 15 years, is demonstrating how early detection, monitoring and treatment of Barrett’s can shut that gateway to oesophageal cancer.
8. To people with Stomach Cancer who’ve asked us to include them in our patient support programme, we welcome you onboard in 2026 through our Pilot Scheme detailed in this report (see details of forthcoming meetings below).
9. To our Board, our first line of volunteers, and to all of the Trustees involved with OCF over the last 25 years, we salute you and thank you.  While this annual report focuses on 2025, it is published in OCF’s Silver Anniversary Year and we hope you enjoy the Reeling in the Years photos.  See Claire O’Reilly’s and Yvonne O’Connor’s story and the Tribute to Noelle Ryan.
10. To our OCF Team of Four, our CEO Carmel Doyle, Dervilla Downey on Finance and Governance, Anthony Doran on Fundraising and Communications, Sharon Cooney on Patient Support and Lollipop Day – thank you and you can read their Impact Reports right here.
11. To our Board for their navigation and our Auditors for their clean bill of health, Thank You.  For 2025 we had to produce two sets of accounts, one for the OCF Association and one for OCF CLG, as we transitioned as an organisation from 1st June 2025.  You will see an Appendix that gives an overview on page 111 and it is important to remember that while our legal status as an organisation changed, our vision, mission, values remain the same.  Our actual income level for 2025 was €491,279 compared to €487,281 in 2024, with the amount of €643,802 transferred across from the Association to the CLG on 1st June which represents the balance of assets and liabilities on that date.  
12. Good governance is a top priority of ours and we are very proud of the trust and results we continue to demonstrate, along with our Good Governance badge from the Charities Institute of Ireland.  We also thank The Wheel and the Carmichael and the Charities Regulator for their guidance on Good Governance.

Download the Annual Report 2025

New Patient Support Video Series launched 

https://ocf.ie/ocf-support-videos

For September 2026 we have launched a new six-part Patient Support Video Series.  This brings together patients, healthcare professionals and OCF volunteers to provide practical information, reassurance and real-life insight for people affected by oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer. We cover key aspects of the patient journey, including treatment, recovery, diet, wellbeing and living with and beyond cancer.  The videos are designed to be an accessible resource that reflect what happens at OCF’s regional support meetings, giving people the opportunity to tune in from home. 

The videos are available free of charge through the OCF website and social media channels, and feature contributions from healthcare professionals – Professor John Reynolds; Cathy White, Senior Dietitian, Beaumont Hospital; Aoibhinn O’Reilly, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, St. James’s Hospital.  These are alongside OCF Patient Ambassadors Brona Wright (OCF Board), Gerry Martin and Breedge Conway who share their personal experiences and insights.

The video series has been specifically developed as a resource that complements the information and support provided by clinical teams, giving patients access to trusted advice and lived experience beyond their hospital appointments. It has been kindly supported and made possible by DMG Media.

OCF is asking hospital and local care and charity teams to share these videos online, with a timely reminder that OCF’s next patient support meetings, which are also open to people with stomach cancer as part of a new OCF pilot scheme, take place on:

• Saturday 19^th September, Talbot Hotel, Dublin from 10am to 2pm
• Saturday 14^th November, Maldron Hotel, Sandy Road, Galway 10.30am-2pm

Can you Help OCF please, by:

• Nominating OCF to your Golf Club, Tennis Club, Local Club or as your Company’s charity partner?
• Joining us for an Abseil in Thomond Park on 9th October and / or asking some of your colleagues/friends to join in?  We don’t have enough people signed up yet, and may have to postpone that one until 2027. REGISTER NOW
• Sponsoring a table at our OCF Lunch on Friday 30th October in Elm Park Golf & Sports Club, Dublin 4. BOOK YOUR PLACE
• Setting up a fundraiser pre Christmas, as we have a significant funding gap of €200,000 to raise by the end of the year.