Contact information

Address: J.Paturssonargota 24, Boks 1216, FO-110 Tórshavn
Tel: +298 317 959, Fax: +298 315 727, www.krabbamein.fo
Chairman: Jákup N. Olsen (jno@lv.fo)

The Faroese Cancer Association is a private organisation relying on donations from subscriptions, lottery and gifts. The Association is not publicly funded.

In many ways 2004 was a special year in the history of the Faroese Cancer Association because it now had existed for a quarter of a century. In this connection a celebration took place in the Nordic House in Tórshavn on 12 November with song, music, lectures, speeches and presentations. The local Prime Minister, Mr. Jóannes Eidergaard, gave his first speech in the capacity of being Patron of the Association.

The 25th anniversary was also celebrated by publishing the book Okkara millum (Between ourselves) edited by Ms. Turið Kjölbro. The book is an attractive collection in which 20 Faeroe Islanders write about living with cancer. The Faeroese Arts Association has donated a poster of the painting Brot (Fragment) by the artist Mr. Torbjörn Olsen to celebrate the anniversary.

The Faeroese Cancer Association has continually substantial communication with authorities, institutions and associations and has sent a request to the Local Health Minister, Mr. Hans P. Ström, in order to introduce mammography screening in the Faeroes. Furthermore the Association continues to press the Hospital Authorities for a fully functional registration of cancer cases.

The work of the Counselling Office constantly increases as patients, relatives and others approach the Office for advice and guidance. The nurse attached to the Association has also made home visits to patients, visited rest homes and hospitals apart from teaching and giving lectures at schools and institutions on cancer, children and grief, and when colleagues develop cancer. On the International Smoke Free Day the Association, in co-operation with the Preventative Council, organised a day of information at the SMS in Tórshavn.

Like in other parts of the World, also in the Faeroes we threw light on cancer in October when, for the first time, the Group sold pink bows that is an initiative to combat cancer; this proved to be very popular and the result was DKK 44,500 (GBP2,500); and in connection with this the Minister of Health got the first bow. Also a public lecture was given on breast cancer; Ms. Karen Heinesen gave a lecture on rehabilitation and nurses at the oncological ward at the National Hospital gave lectures on the treatment of breast cancer in the Faeroes.

The Self Help Group has performed well and been very active in the past year. Two informal meetings for people suffering from stoma and their relatives took place. Also the parents’ group has been active and arranged for a meeting on grief and crises. In September the group arranged a trip to Denmark for families that have had or have children suffering from cancer.

Representatives for the Faroese Cancer Association have taken part in many meetings and conferences abroad; and this year the Association obtained full membership in the ECL. A project on rehabilitation is planned to start in the Faeroes basing on the Nordic project on rehabilitation, conducted by NCU. Also the topic of cancer and sexuality that has been dealt with by the NCU will be introduced in the Faeroes.

In December 2002 the Faeroese Cancer Association started the Look good Feel better-courses for women who are being treated for cancer. In 2004 there were four such courses. The courses have been very popular.

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