Urgent appeal to support cancer services on Daffodil Day
People are urged to donate online for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day taking place today (Friday), March 26.
This will be the second year in a row where Covid-19 has restricted the usual community spirit and cheerfulness normally associated with collections across the country.
The charity’s flagship fundraiser would usually see thousands turn out across the country to fundraise and sell the iconic daffodil pins. However, with collection buckets silent for the second year in a row, people are being asked to support Daffodil Day online or by phone.
Traditional Daffodil Day pins are available at some shops locally and donation stations are available at Cavan Post Office and Ballyhaise Post Office.
The Irish Cancer Society normally raises in the region of €4M when traditional events are able to take place. However, last year the charity saw a €2M drop in income from the event after it was cancelled just days before it was due to take place.
Making a difference
Despite this many families in Cavan were supported by the charity in 2020 and despite Coronavirus restrictions.
Last year, the Irish Cancer Society provided
- 134 nights of night nursing in Cavan to allow patients to spend their final days at home surrounded by loved ones
- 135 volunteer drives to bring patients to and from chemotherapy sessions safely
- 70 counselling sessions for people in Cavan through the Irish Cancer Society's remote counselling service
- 146 people in Cavan helped by the society's support line and Daffodil Centre nurses
'You have cancer'
Each year more than 40,000 people in Ireland hear the words ‘you have cancer’. Over 9,000 people will lose their lives to the illness each year. Meanwhile, 200,000 patients and survivors in Ireland are living after cancer.
The Irish Cancer Society provides advice, support and practical help for anyone affected by cancer.
Meanwhile, Cavan footballing star and cancer survivor Oisin Kiernan will appear on a special Late Late Show tonight to mark Daffodil Day.
Oisin will be talking about his diagnosis and treatment for testicular cancer, his subsequent GAA comeback and his advice for young men watching.
Also featuring on the special on RTÉ 1 at 9.35pm will be Westlife’s Shane Filan who tells of the heartbreak of losing both parents to cancer within 10 months of each other; and Jedward, who will honour their Mum who died from cancer in 2019, by shaving off their legendary quiffs.
Irish Cancer Society Acting CEO Conor King said: “Every year the people of Ireland rally together and stand in solidarity with cancer patients. Today, on our most important Daffodil Day yet we may not be together, but we can still show our support for the cancer community.
“Despite the challenges of the last year the Irish Cancer Society is still here for people affected by cancer; through the cancer nurses on our Support Line, our Daffodil Centre staff, our dedicated volunteer drivers to bring people to chemotherapy and our night nurses, who provided more nights of precious end-of-life care than ever before.
“By donating at donate.cancer.ie or supporting any of the other fundraisers happening today you are helping to ensure that we can continue to be there for anyone who needs it."
This year marks Boots Ireland’s fourth year of sponsoring Daffodil Day and pins are on sale in Boots’ 89 stores located nationwide.
If you have concerns or questions about cancer, or to learn more about support services available in your area, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone: 1800 200 700
Please click http://www.justgiving.com/daffodil-day-cavan to donate or callsave 1850 - 60 - 60 - 60.
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