Charis Cancer Care Centre Director Awarded MBE in New Year’s Honours List

Charis Centre Director, Imelda McGucken, has been awarded an MBE for services to nursing and palliative care in Northern Ireland, in this New Year’s Honours List. Charis Cancer Care is a charity which was established to support people who are affected by cancer, their family members and families who have been bereaved through cancer.

Discussing the achievement Imelda said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to receive an MBE for services to nursing and palliative care in Northern Ireland in the New Year’s Honours list. I feel very humbled to have been nominated as I love the work I do and it’s a privilege to be given recognition for something I am so passionate about”.

Imelda adds: “I have always lived in Cookstown. I’ve been married to Andy for the past 36 years and we’re blessed with three children – Gavin, Duane and Andrea, whom I’m very proud of. Unfortunately, I lost my father to cancer 12 years ago, though I’m grateful that I still have my mother, sisters, brothers and extended family circle around me. I’ve dedicated my life to nursing since 1979, starting my career in South Tyrone Hospital Dungannon and in community nursing. I also worked in Mid Ulster Hospital before moving on to complete my BSc in Cancer and Palliative Care while my children were very young.

“My goal in life has always been to care for people with a cancer diagnosis and this inspired me to join the team of Marie Curie in the 1990’s where I enhanced my skills and expertise. I chose to manage and direct services at Charis Cancer Care which is located in Lough Fea, Cookstown, in October 2009.

“I would like to pay tribute to Mr Jim Henry CBE FCIOB, the Trustees, and my amazing team of staff, volunteers and clients (past and present) whom I have had the privilege of working with. I have no doubt I would not have achieved this recognition without the support and involvement of them all. I look forward to receiving this Honour in person and hope to continue to offer and deliver high quality holistic services at Charis”.

Charis can broaden the services offered to patients coping with diagnosis, detection and treatment. A programme has been designed to complement rather than replace orthodox cancer treatments with the aim of providing physical, psychological and emotional support through the relief of symptoms. Highly trained therapists and tutors work with the person as a whole, ensuring they benefit from advice and treatments which are free of charge to everyone at point of need.

Should you wish to make a donation to Charis to support cancer patients, their families and those bereaved with cancer, please contact Director of Fundraising Veronica Morris on T: 028 8676 9217 M. 07738 492541 or E. fundraiser@chariscancercare.org. All donations go straight to the charity.