Originally from Loughrea, Co Galway, Tom (left) now lives in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, with his wife Kitty, and the family pets, Molly a 15 month Shih Tzu and Lucy the cat. Tom is a retired accountant and father of three. He likes to walk and do some vegetable gardening. Tom is treasurer with the Young Orchestral Pops Orchestra, a youth orchestra and has travelled on seven concert tours to Europe. He is also treasurer with a not-for-profit company Music & Health Ireland CLG, delivering music programmes by professional musicians into nursing homes and children’s hospitals.
Tom was diagnosed with prostate cancer aged 62 when a routine blood test showed an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) reading. A tissue biopsy revealed that he had low-grade prostate cancer. He was given the option of surgery to remove the prostate, or to go on active surveillance. Tom decided to follow an active surveillance route. He has been regularly monitored for the past thirteen years, and had four further biopsies and one MRI over this period. Thankfully, the prostate cancer has not spread and he continues to enjoy good health.
Tom joined the Patient Voice in Cancer Research committee in 2016 to build connections between researchers and patients so that together they can focus on projects that will benefit cancer patients. Tom has been part of the Irish Cancer Society’s Peer to Peer Support Service since 2013. He also volunteered with the charity as a driver, bringing cancer patients to hospital for chemotherapy treatment. He is the Secretary/Treasurer with Men Against Cancer, a prostate cancer support group, and a patient representative on the National Cancer Control Programme Prostate Update Guidelines Development Group. In 2021 he was invited to join the All Ireland Cancer Research Institute as a patient representative.
“Disclaimer: This fly-on-the-wall video was recorded while capturing audio conversions between artist and researcher / patient advocates about the selected objects. While not originally part of the exhibition concept, this unedited record of their interaction gives a flavour of the creative process in this project ”
The branded PVCR Mug ( Patient Voice in Cancer Research): A mug for having the cup of tea, a very important part of every PVCR meeting of patients and researchers.
The calculator references the fact that I am a numbers man. My life has been built around working with figures both while employed and now in retirement.
The branded PVCR Mug ( Patient Voice in Cancer Research): A mug for having the cup of tea, a very important part of every PVCR meeting of patients and researchers.
The calculator references the fact that I am a numbers man. My life has been built around working with figures both while employed and now in retirement.
William hails from the Deise, Waterford. He is a hurling enthusiast, supporting the Blue and White through both ups and downs.
William hails from the Deise, Waterford. He is a hurling enthusiast, supporting the Blue and White through both ups and downs.
