Bring warmth and comfort to someone this Christmas.
There are over 220,728 cancer survivors living in Ireland. Your gift today can help someone facing cancer this Christmas — with warmth, dignity and care.
Since 2014, supporters like you have helped fund more than 5,200 Comfort Fund grants, helping families across Ireland keep warm, travel to treatment, and find peace of mind when they needed it most.
This Christmas, your gift can help us bring that same comfort to even more families.
Because comfort shouldn’t come down to cost — your gift today can help make sure it doesn’t.
Could you help 15 families facing cancer this Christmas?
Each Comfort Fund grant — up to €1,000 — helps a family cover the hidden costs of cancer.
The Comfort Fund team really see the difference the Fund makes to patients facing significant financial burdens due to their diagnosis.
We work closely with Medical Social Workers and Clinical Nurse Specialists who submit applications on behalf of their patients.
The support helps cover heating or electricity bills, hospital parking, and other essential costs — practical help at a very difficult time when there’s often nowhere else to turn.”
— Col Conway, Marie Keating Foundation Nurse.
What is the Comfort Fund?
One in three oncology nurses surveyed reported visiting cancer patients with no heating in their home during treatment*. No one should have to choose between warmth and care. The Comfort Fund helps ensure they don’t have to.
Please note: The Comfort Fund is only available through applications made by Medical Social Workers and Clinical Nurse Specialists, who submit requests on behalf of their patients.
€756*
a month
the average extra cost of cancer for Irish cancer patients.
€1500*
a month
average loss of income for families when cancer forces patients to stop working.
€140*
a month
average travel costs for patients getting to and from hospital appointments.
How your donation makes a difference
Ciara's Story
When Ciara, a 46-year-old single mum from Kilkenny, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, she had to stop working. She was physically and mentally exhausted from chemotherapy and major surgery, and she still had to care for her daughter, Saibh.
“A few months into my illness, one of the nurses told me about the Marie Keating Comfort Fund. I was happy to have any financial help considering I wasn’t working anymore and am a single parent. The money was put to good use.” — Ciara
Because of people like you, Ciara could keep going, focus on recovery, and be there for her daughter.
Barrie's Story
When Barrie was diagnosed with cancer at just 37, life quickly became filled with appointments, treatments, and unexpected challenges. What struck him most wasn’t the illness itself — it was the feeling of being just another patient, another number.
“When I had to travel to Dublin for a consultation, the Comfort Fund covered my travel and overnight stay. The support was amazing and it was a huge weight off my shoulders." — Barrie
That small act of kindness, a Comfort Fund grant, brought real peace of mind to Barrie and his family.
Roland's Story
For Roland, the future became uncertain and the thought of not seeing his grandchildren grow up weighed heavily on his mind. His bladder cancer diagnosis last year forced him to stop working, just as household bills and travel costs were rising.
"It was such a huge relief during the most terrible period of my life. It allowed me to focus on my recovery and enjoy being with my grandchildren, surrounded by their love and laughter.”- Roland
The Comfort Fund gave Roland and his family room to breathe. Every grant tells the same story of relief, dignity, and hope when life feels impossible.
At the Marie Keating Foundation, we’re committed to empowering people living with and beyond Irelands most common cancers.
We also recognise that cancer can change a person’s life, and they need support beyond treatment.
Consider including a gift in your Will to support future generations to come.
