People living with cancer are being invited to attend a unique information day next month.

The 'Living With Cancer Day' event has been organised by the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust (NECRET) and is open to both patients and their families.

Guest speakers at the event will include celebrities who have dealt with cancer and specialists working in this field.

"People will have the opportunity to hear from leading specialists about the latest advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment and talk directly to them about their concerns.

"Well-known personalities including comedian Anne Gildea, a former Nuala and author of I've Got Cancer What's Your Excuse?, Drogheda United footballer Gary O'Neill and award-winning Irish Times journalist Kathy Sheridan, will also share their experiences of living with cancer," said the event's organiser, Karen Healy of NECRET.

The day will be hosted by international cancer expert, Prof Bryan Hennessy, a consultant oncologist at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

"This will be an inspirational day where people can discover new ways to be cancer pro-active. Those attending will have the chance to talk to, listen and learn from for our top cancer specialists in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere," he noted.

He said that the specialists will provide an overview of what people need to know about cancer and its treatment ‘and they will be available to answer patient's questions about their treatment or concerns'.

"We will also have lots of helpful tips on diet, exercise, fashion and wigs, plus a chance for people to sample free therapeutic treatments such as massage and reflexology, as well as advice and information on the services available from the Irish Cancer Society and the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre," Prof Hennessy said.

The event will take place at the City North Hotel, Gormanston, Co Meath, on April 5, from 2pm to 6pm. Tickets are €15. All funds raised go to NECRET, which will use it to further research in this area.

Tickets are available from the north east oncology unit on 086 777 3294, the Drogheda Lions Club on 085 721 3212 and the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre on 041 980 5100. They can also be purchased directly from the City North Hotel and the Holistic Kiosk at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre in Drogheda.