Northern Notes

By Debbie Orme Notes

Derry cancer survivor reveals importance of awareness

When Derry-native Noeleen McMorris found herself with a regular influx of hiccups, indigestion and a change in swallowing habits, she knew something was wrong.

Believing it was a side effect of medication, a routine GP appointment and a guidelines scope referral was only the beginning. September 2016 saw Noeleen diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Quickly becoming overwhelmed with feelings of fear, anxiety and utter dread, she started into her journey of scans, CT and ultrasounds. ‘Thankfully I was fit enough for chemotherapy,’ Noeleen told Northern Notes. ‘I was given two rounds and then had an oesophagectomy in March 2017. I was then told it was stage two cancer. ‘Although it was a big shock, I was glad I had gone to the doctor early. I could so easily have ignored it and not done anything for months. I was really grateful my GP was on the ball and pushed for an endoscopy because I had a healthy lifestyle and didn’t fit the typical statistics of being an older man, a smoker or a drinker.’ Noeleen had a reasonably uneventful recovery process, with her strength returning as the years have passed. For her, talking about it is just as much part of the progress as recovery.

‘I still have some side effects of surgery in recovery, such as dumping syndrome and tiredness, but I have learnt the coping mechanisms. I eat hourly during the day and need to watch what I eat and I look at this as a small price to pay for what I have. I’m still able to meet up with friends and travel with family. Life is different, but it’s still good.

‘Overall, it has been a rollercoaster but I’m well enough down the line now to appreciate that I am healthy. I deal with the symptoms, and I know how to adjust to cope with them and I positively encourage myself to eat healthily and eat properly.’ Now, five years post surgery, Noeleen has been discharged from City Hospital. ‘It’s all about perspective. My son-in-law once told me that you’re always going to be seeing the worst cases in the hospital, people going through their worst. But with charity meetups and events, I’ve been able to see people post-recovery, enjoying a great life. It’s given me a much more positive outlook. OG Cancer was a great help for advice and support, and still are.’

OG Cancer NI is a Northern Ireland based charity that supports patients and carers facing an oesophageal or stomach cancer diagnosis, while also aiming to raise awareness of the early symptoms of the illness. In line with these aims, OG Cancer NI has recently launched its new mobile unit. As the unit makes its way across Northern Ireland it will serve as a support for those currently receiving treatment, worried about symptoms, or the recently diagnosed. The long-term objective of the mobile unit is to spread awareness in order to increase survival rates. ‘My gut feeling was telling me ‘something is wrong’ but I didn’t think it was cancer. Other than the hiccups I wasn’t feeling in any way ill. I could have very easily ignored it, or put it off. I think it’s important to realise that just because you don’t fit in the statistics, doesn’t mean you won’t be at risk.’

Recognising the signs and symptoms of oesophageal cancer is crucial to early diagnosis. Consult your GP if the following symptoms have been ongoing for more than three weeks: persistent indigestion, difficulty swallowing or food sticking, heartburn acid reflux, hiccupping that won’t go away, unexplained weight loss.

For those currently undergoing treatment, Noeleen shares her words of advice: ‘Take each day as it comes. Hopefully each day you will feel better, that’s what happened to me. Try not to think too far ahead. ‘Keep in touch with groups like OG Cancer NI for advice and information, but try not to look on the ‘worst sites’ - try and stay positive.’

Noeleen McMorris pictured with the OGNI van at the campaign launch

Northern Notes

Aspects Festival launches 2022 programme

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, pictured with Aspects Festival Director Patricia Hamilton and crime authors Jason Johnson and Anthony J Quinn at the launch of Aspect’s 2022 programme.

This year’s Aspects Festival is happening from 22 September to 2 October! Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to present a return to Aspect’s first full programme since 2019. Aspects Festival has always been committed to promoting Irish writing from well-known authors, as well as showcasing local and emerging talent and this year is no different! With events celebrating historic writing, politics, sports and history, there are plenty of events on offer across all genres of literature including book launches, new writing and discussions. Author Malachi O’Doherty makes a return to Aspects to discuss his latest book and the Festival is delighted to welcome back best-selling authors Martina Devlin and Jan Carson to talk about their latest works. Jan and Martina will also be facilitating some exciting writing workshops aimed at aspiring writers, and local crime-writers Anthony J Quinn and Jason Johnson will be launching their new books at the festival. A very special Aspects extra event will take place on 9 October when, just after the main programme, Phil Coulter will appear at Bangor Castle to talk about his song-writing, his memoir and his life. ‘Aspects Festival is always such a wonderfully inspiring celebration of writing,’ said Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, ‘and we are proud that it is one of the longest running literature festivals in Ireland. With such a varied programme, there really is something on offer for everyone and I would encourage people to get their tickets and come along and enjoy these fantastic events.’

Get your walking boots ready for the first Sperrins Walking Programme taking place September 2022 and March 2023 across Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB).

The programme, developed and delivered by The Sperrins Partnership and outdoor experts Far and Wild, is designed to help walkers of all abilities to enjoy this beautiful landscape as well as promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Sperrins Walking participants will not only enjoy discovering a destination filled with unique tourism experiences, but a great choice of walks ranging from leisurely strolls to more demanding longer walks, all in small groups, guided by experienced leaders.

Sperrins Walking Programme and dates are:

• Causeway Coast & Glens 3rd/4th September 2022:

Explore the natural and human history in the Northern Sperrins with two challenging walks looking at late Bronze Age to current day heritage. Walks include Banagher Dam and Donald’s Hill to Sconce Fort.

• Derry City & Strabane 17th/18th September 2022:

Sperrins & Killeter features a wide variety of walks including Balix Boardwalk and Loop, Craignamaddy Loop, Carnanelly- Oughtmore- Goles, Leitrim Hill, Derg Lodge to the Derg River, Carrickaholten- Golandun McHugh-Causeway. • Mid Ulster

24th/25th September 2022:

In co-operation with Embrace Tours and local guides, the heartland of Mid-Ulster offers some exciting and significant walking routes. Walks include Glenaruddagh Mt, Davagh Forest, Moydamlaght Forest to Glenshane Pass over Mullaghmore, Moydamlaght Forest looped walk to Eagle’s Rock.

• Fermanagh & Omagh 25th/26th March 2023:

One of the first programmed walks for the 2023. Walks include Gortin Lakes, Mullaghcarn, Tattynure to Bessy Bell, Sloughan Glen & Bollaght Mt.

‘The Sperrins is a diverse upland environment and superb location for walking in the heart of historic Ulster,’ says Lawrence McBride from Far and Wild.

‘It is also a living and working landscape, where people dwell and earn their livelihoods, and have done since neolithic times. This makes it a fascinating destination for visiting and local walkers alike, replete with natural and human heritage for over 8,000 years. We are delighted to be back leading walks across 4 areas of the greater Sperrins hills, and engaging local communities and other excellent walk leaders to help deliver an insightful and fulfilling programme.’

For further information/booking, visit: https://farandwild.org/land/or https://

www.sperrinspartnershipproject.com/ sperrins-walking-festival/

Faith in the future: new miracle innovations could save thousands of lives from climate disaster

As climate change brings the worst drought in 40 years to the Horn of Africa, Concern Worldwide supporters are helping local farmers use new climate-resilient techniques to save their families and communities from starvation.

In some parts of the Horn of Africa, there hasn’t been a single drop of rain in three years. Dead cows lie decaying by the road, overcome by dehydration. Across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, the dust-filled plains are so bare of vegetation that they don’t attract any animals. The villages are just as quiet. The hustle and bustle of families cooking or working has fallen silent. Children who haven’t eaten for days do nothing but sit still in their huts, too tired and sick to move. It’s the same dire, drought-ravaged situation across all the countries in the Horn of Africa. Right now, 16 million people are acutely food insecure. It’s estimated one person dies of hunger every 48 seconds. And as climate change causes more extreme weather patterns, experts predict that droughts like these will become even more frequent, and last even longer, with devastating effects for future generations.

Living in hunger

Ahmed, a farmer in Somalia, and his children, live on the frontline of the climate crisis. He inherited his land from his father who was a farmer before him. But with each year that has gone by since he was a boy, he has seen less and less rain falling on the family farm. The soil has become so dry that he can no longer grow the nutritious corn and sorghum that once helped him put food on the table. to supporters who left a gift in their Will to the charity, Concern has the resources to build climate-smart agricultural programmes that can support Ahmed and families like his. They provide the tools and training that, even in the driest conditions, help farmers grow nourishing food. Together, Concern and its supporters were able to provide Ahmed with a wide range of drought-resistant seeds, and training on how to grow them. The results have been nothing short of miraculous – today, his once-barren land is sprouting thousands of fruit-bearing trees. With the income he’s earning from selling the While the threat of mass starvation looms, Concern Worldwide is calling for more people to help them protect vulnerable families like Ahmed’s from the hunger caused by drought and climate change. When people leave a gift in their Will to Concern, they’re giving hope to children, families and communities facing future challenges of the climate crisis, by supporting this life-saving agricultural programme.

Seeing his crops wither before his eyes, Ahmed did everything he could to save them, but without water, it wasn’t enough. He had nothing to eat and nothing to sell at the market. The pain of hunger began to take hold of his children. Even if his family were to survive the current crisis, he could only wonder how his children would ever live through the more formidable droughts of the future.

Communities face the threat of mass starvation as the climate crisis worsens.

Miracle innovation

It was in this desperate situation that Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest international aid charity, and their generous community of supporters, were able to provide a lifeline for Ahmed. For 54 years, the charity has been helping people from the world’s poorest communities to build lives free from hunger. In Ahmed’s case, escaping hunger meant achieving something that seemed impossible to him – finding a way to turn his dusty fields green again despite the onslaught of the current drought. But thanks

Life-saving innovation

For decades, Concern Worldwide has been bringing life-saving solutions to people facing the climate crisis. The miraculous results have been nothing short of life-changing for thousands of families.

CROP VARIETY & DIVERSIFICATION Drought-resistant seeds increase the chance of a successful crop, even in dry conditions, to protect families from hunger.

IRRIGATION When an area receives no rainfall, innovative water pumping systems can bring vital, enriching moisture to barren soil.

POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT When crops are harvested, more secure storage techniques can protect them from being spoiled by insects and fungi later.

BEFORE AFTER

“With the seeds Concern provided, I was able to harvest a lot more and help my family, it changed everything.”

Ahmed, Somalia

Leaving a legacy of hope for future generations

Siobhán O’Connor, from Concern, advises people who want to leave a gift in their Will to the charity. “The gifts that our generous supporters

“I am proud to know that, even when I am gone, my support will continue to save lives.”

Colm, who’s leaving a gift in his Will to Concern Worldwide, Co. Galway

produce, he can afford to feed his children again. And when they’re old enough, they will learn these life-changing skills from Ahmed, which they can pass on to their own children, ensuring future generations live a life free from hunger.

The future threat of climate change

Although the future looks brighter for Ahmed and his children, many families are still not safe from climate change. The World Bank predicts that the coming changes in weather patterns could force more than 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030. And by 2050, it may internally displace 143 million people from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. leave in their Wills have the power to change so much,” Siobhán told us. She continued, “That single act of kindness goes far beyond helping one family protect themselves from hunger – it lives on through the years, from generation to generation, helping the families and children of the future survive even the deadliest drought.” More and more compassionate people across Ireland are now moving to support Concern’s vision to build a hunger-free world. Siobhán explains, “Our community is united by a simple belief that no one should ever have to suffer the pain of hunger. If you share in this belief, I would encourage you to consider joining us today. No gift is too small or big, every donation will help build a world free from hunger.”

Find out how you can be part of a world without hunger