A Donegal woman who survived breast cancer while pregnant has called on the local community to support the North West Breast Cancer charity ball this December.

Caitríona Greene from Gortahork never knew how much she would rely on the specialist care of the Letterkenny centre when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and discovered she was pregnant shortly afterwards.

Caitríona first attended the North West Breast Cancer Centre in Letterkenny in March 2021 after discovering a lump on her breast. She was diagnosed with cancer two weeks later.

She saidL “It was not the outcome that I had hoped and prayed for, but it’s only now that I am out the other side I can understand and appreciate how lucky I was to have received this quick diagnosis and how fortunate we are to have such an amazing service here in the north west.”

The quick diagnosis was just the beginning of the constantly high level of care Caitríona would receive from the north west breast cancer services.

Just two weeks after her mastectomy, Caitríona found out that she was eight months pregnant. 

“The team at North West Breast Cancer Centre worked closely with the equally wonderful team at Letterkenny Maternity Unit to ensure the safe delivery of my chemotherapy and treatment and the safe delivery of my gorgeous baby girl in November 2021,” she said.

To this day, Caitríona is immensely grateful for the diligent teams in Letterkenny, and for the research that enabled her to have chemotherapy before giving birth to her beautiful daughter.

Caitríona shared her story as preparations take place for the 2023 North West Breast Cancer Charity Ball, which promises to be a special evening celebrating the service we have in Donegal, celebrating survivors and remembering those who have sadly passed. Everyone in the community is welcome to join the event in the Silver Tassie on Friday 1st December.

Speaking from first-hand experience, Caitríona said: “I know how important funding is for this wonderful service and how we as a community must support the North West Breast Centre.”

Watch here:

The upcoming charity ball on 1st December 2023 promises to be as thrilling as ever, with Red Alert providing the music and Noel Cunningham acting as the MC.

Ciara Doherty, a popular television presenter, and Mr Peter Barry, a renowned Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, will be joining as the special guests.

The ticket price for the event has been held steady at an exceptional value of €50.00 per person, and the festivities will begin with a drinks reception at 7.15 p.m., followed by a delicious three-course meal and dancing.

Tickets can be purchased at The Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Telephone No. 074 91 25619.

Once again this year the Silver Tassie is very generously offering their hugely successful Hotel Package – escape your busy life and relax on Friday 1st December – all for the incredible price of €110.00.

North West Breast Cancer Charity Ball