This month we celebrate a legend within the Children’s Cancer Unit as he begins his retirement from his post as Lead Oncology Consultant after 26 years.
Dr Anthony McCarthy will be a familiar face to most families who have journeyed through the Unit. In 2000, having held positions in England, Australia and various parts of Ireland, Anthony joined Dr Sid Dempsey in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and, in his own words, the place quickly felt like home.
Throughout his 26 years in Belfast, Anthony has become a much-loved and respected medical advisor and advocate for thousands of children and young people and their families from all over Northern Ireland who have faced a childhood cancer diagnosis. His kindness, passion and unique perspective on his cases always shone and he cared deeply for the children and young people he met.
Anthony was a trusted colleague, friend and confidante, highly respected throughout the island of Ireland for his knowledge and care. With a passion for education, research and learning, Anthony has been a mentor and a huge influence on the many trainees who have spent time in the Children’s Cancer Unit. A character, who was firm, but always led with empathy and a bit of craic along the way, he leaves a big legacy behind as he begins this much-deserved his next chapter.
We have been honoured to have Anthony on our Board for many years, and we look forward to continuing our work with him going forward. But for now, we say a huge thank you and wish him every success and good wish on his retirement and we’ve no doubt he will have a packed schedule of golf, sailing and sports to keep him occupied!
