A Co Cavan woman will appear on TV screens tonight to highlight the financial impact that hospital parking charges has on cancer patients. Tara Doonan who was diagnosed with breast cancer back in August 2022 will appear on RTE One's 'The Complaints Bureau' at 7pm tonight. In relation to tonight's programme, Tara revealed that she was in contact with the Irish Cancer Society right through her diagnosis and treatment, adding that the group was a "fantastic support" for her during that time. As a result, the Co Cavan woman volunteered as a media representative for the Irish Cancer Society in a bid to spread awareness for breast cancer in anyway that she could.
Tara who received her treatment at the Mater Hospital in Dublin was charged a parking fee of €15 euro per day. According to the Bawnboy native, at the start of her cancer treatment she would pay this fee up to two or three times a week, which resulted in her seeking alternatively parking further away. Speaking to Northern Sound, Tara hopes tonight's programme will "shine a light" on such an important issue. The Co Cavan teacher says she wants this issue to be a "focus" for government instead of a "promise sitting on a desk somewhere."
Tara continued; "This is more about bringing attention to this issue again as it has been in the programme of works for the government for a number of years now. It's a promise that they have made that they will actually abolish parking charges for cancer patients yet no action has been taken."
