Ryan Wishes Upon A Star This Christmas

Ryan Hubbard from Bangor is making a very special wish this Christmas in support of local charity, Friends of the Cancer Centre.

Ryan is calling on people to show their support for Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Wish Upon a Star appeal.  For a donation of £10 people can share their wish, message or name of a loved one on a beautiful star and see it shine bright on the charity’s Christmas trees at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre in Belfast or the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin in Derry/Londonderry.  For those who can’t make it to the hospitals, you can also dedicate a star on Friends of the Cancer Centre’s virtual Christmas tree.  To keep your special wish close at this time of year, the charity can also send you your very own star for your tree at home.  Money raised from the Wish Upon A Star appeal will go on to support Friends of the Cancer Centre’s vital work, which makes an impact on cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland.  This year Ryan will be dedicating a star to the staff at the Cancer Centre who supported him when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. 

Commenting on why he is proud to support the appeal, Ryan said:

“Friends of the Cancer Centre is such an incredible charity that really makes a difference to those who are affected by cancer.  I know from personal experience, as I was diagnosed with testicular cancer when I was just 20 years old.  It was a scary time, but Friends of the Cancer Centre helped make my time at the Cancer Centre a little easier through the great work it does to support patients. 

“Today I’m doing well.  Over the last few years I’ve been doing what I can to support the charity and this Christmas I’m proud to support its Wish Upon a Star appeal.  My star will be dedicated to the charity and team at the Cancer Centre who were there for me and my family when we needed it most.”

For 38 years, Friends of the Cancer Centre has been dedicated to making a real and meaningful difference to cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland.  The charity is here to enhance the quality of patient care and support through its life-changing and life-saving work which includes funding additional nurses, supporting local research and providing practical support, such as financial grants,which help families through a difficult time.  Friends of the Cancer Centre relies entirely on the generosity of the local community and all money donated stays in Northern Ireland, directly benefitting patients and their families.

Ana Wilkinson, chief executive of Friends of the Cancer Centre, is calling on people to show their support by dedicating a star on the charity’s Christmas trees.  She said:

“We are delighted to once again launch our Wish Upon a Star appeal, which gives people the opportunity to mark this time of year in a unique and special way. 

“Christmas can be a really special time for so many people, but it can also be a difficult time for families who have been impacted by cancer.  That’s why our Wish Upon A Star appeal is so special.  It’s a wonderful way to say thank you to those who have cared for us and our loved ones, or remember someone special who is no longer with us.  All money raised from our appeal will be used to support the life-saving and life-changing work and each star will be cherished as it will represent something, or someone, very special.”

Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Wish Upon A Star appeal will close at 12noon on Thursday 21st December.  To Wish Upon a Star, please visit Friends of the Cancer Centre’s office on the ground floor of the Cancer Centre in Belfast, or visit the reception area of the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital.  To add a star to the charity’s virtual tree, please visit www.friendsofthecancercentre.com or call the charity on 028 9069 9393.