BIG BUS DRIVES CANCER SERVICES TO CITY AIRPORT

2012-07-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — George Best Belfast City Airport passengers and staff are used to “check-ins” but this time it was “check-ups”

Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, Action Cancer brought its mobile unit, the Big Bus, to the airport to raise much-needed awareness of the disease.Michelle Hatfield, Corporate Responsibility Director at Belfast City Airport, said:

“We are delighted to have supported the Action Cancer Big Bus through our Community Fund which fines airlines who operate late night flights at the airport.

“In a visit to the airport, passengers and staff were able to avail of the prevention and detection services on board the bus that could potentially be lifesaving.”

The 18 metre-long articulated vehicle with expanding side pods, houses cancer prevention and early detection services, and staff on the unit also provide information about support services.

The mobile clinic, whose main sponsor is retail group SuperValu and its independent retailers, was launched in 2006 to help Action Cancer save lives and support people.

Action Cancer Head of Professional Services, Geraldine Kerr explains the importance of this service:
“Every year the Big Bus visits 200 communities providing breast screenings to nearly 3,000 women and health checks and advice to approximately 2,000 people.

“With cancer rates on the increase early detection and prevention services, as well as support for those diagnosed with cancer and their families, are even more crucial.”

The Big Bus targets areas in Northern Ireland where cancer risk is greatest and where uptake of screening services is low.

Individuals wishing to make an appointment for a service and groups and companies wishing to make a booking for the Big Bus to visit their location should telephone Action Cancer on 028 9080 3344 or use the dedicated email address bigbus@actioncancer.org