q ANSWERS ON CANCER: Does science have the answer to cancer? This is the theme of a public discussion in which an oncologist, a cancer research officer and two researchers will give overviews of how their work contributes to the fight against cancer.
Held as part of the BA Festival of Science, the event takes place on Friday from 8pm in the Gas Building, D'Olier St, Dublin.
Meanwhile, on Thursday from 2pm-5.30pm, a public debate on the importance of ethics in research goes ahead in the Snaim Building Conference Room, Trinity College, Dublin.
Admission is free to both events.
q DEALING WITH LOSS: Minister of State with responsibility for Children Mr Brian Lenihan will this evening introduce a new diploma aimed at volunteers and professionals who support children and families who have suffered significant loss.
According to PCI College, children are faced with loss - not only deaths of family members, but also through separation and divorce of parents.
The launch will take place at 8pm today in PCI College, Corrig House, Old Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. For further details tel: 01-4642268
q FIGHTING BLINDNESS: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for over-50s and affects over 60,000 Irish adults and 30 million people worldwide. AMD Week, which runs from 17th to 24th September, has been established to raise awareness of AMD and the range of options available for prevention, early detection, treatment and support.
AMD causes progressive loss of central vision, making everyday activities, like driving, reading and watching TV, impossible.
The meetings will take place in Cork, Galway, Tullamore and Dublin. All are welcome and attendance is free.
For further information, contact Avril Daly, Fighting Blindness, tel: 01-7093050
q CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: The suicide support group 3TS will host a public candlelight vigil this Friday, September 9th to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
The vigil, which will take place from 8pm-9pm in the forecourt of the Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin, will remember those who have lost their lives through suicide.
3TS is embarking on a Suicide in Ireland Survey over the next 18 months to capture the stories of "the lost lives behind the statistics" by interviewing relatives of the 1,000 people lost to suicide in Ireland over the past 3 years.
For further information, see www.3TS.ie.
q FOX RUNS: The Irish Cancer Society has appealed for people to take part in a local Terry Fox Run in aid of cancer research on Sunday, October 16th.
Cancer is the largest single cause of death in Ireland - 21,000 people will develop the disease this year.
Last year, the Terry Fox Runs around Ireland raised €314,000 and this year the target is €320,000.
All the monies raised through the Terry Fox Runs is used to fund projects researching a wide range of cancers in different Irish hospitals and universities around the country.
Terry Fox Runs are taking place in 80 locations across the country. For further information tel: 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie