Leading local cancer charity Action Cancer is bringing its SuperValu Big Bus mobile unit to the area in October as part of its ongoing tour of Northern Ireland. The Bus was hosted by the Action Cancer Comber Group when it visited SuperValu Comber on 9th October and will be hosted by the Action Cancer Moneyreagh Group when it visits the church on the Comber Road, Ballygowan on 30th-31st  October.
 
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. 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.
 
Action Cancer Big Bus Co-ordinator Seán Conlon explained why the public should take advantage of the service; “The Big Bus has become a well-known and valuable health resource for men and women throughout Northern Ireland, delivering life-saving services right to their doorstep.” 
 
Donna Morrison, SuperValu Marketing Manager said, “SuperValu has been in partnership with Action Cancer for 12 years in support of the charity’s mobile services.  We are extremely proud to play our part in the Big Bus service and to help Action Cancer make an impact on the health of local communities throughout Northern Ireland.”
 
Services provided on the Big Bus, which is fully accessible include digital breast screening for women aged between 40 and 49 and over 70, health promotion and MOT health checks for men and women. A full body composition analysis using the latest technology provides clients with information on their height, weight, body mass index and more, and also offers health awareness and weight loss guidance.
 
Big Bus staff can provide information on complementary therapies and other cancer support services such as counselling, a Listening Ear Service, and support groups, which are available for cancer patients, their carers and families at the charity’s headquarters in Belfast and at other locations. 
 
Anyone interested in making an appointment for the Big Bus when it is in the area should telephone Action Cancer in advance on 028 9080 3344. Alternatively, you can book online by going to www.actioncancer.org, and follow the ‘online booking’ link on the home page.  Appointments will be available from 10.00am to 3.00pm each day. Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis as there are a limited number of appointments for all services.
 
SuperValu is part of Musgrave NI (MNI) which supports over 250 independent retail stores in Northern Ireland, including Centra and Mace, with a combined turnover in excess of ￡600 million.  MRPNI is part of the Musgrave Group, the leading partner to more than 3,500 entrepreneurial retailers and food service professionals in the UK, Ireland and Spain.
 
For further information on SuperValu visit www.supervalu.co.uk. And for Action Cancer visit www.actioncancer.org.

Action Cancer patron Nuala McKeever, centre, joins Sean Conlon from the charity and SuperValu Marketing Manager Donna Morrison, to announce the Big Bus visit to the church on the Comber Road, Ballygowan on 30th-31st October.