Each year more than 40,000 people in Ireland hear the words ‘you have cancer’

APPEAL FOR VITAL FUNDS ON DAFFODIL DAY

People are urged to donate online for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day taking place today Friday 26th March.

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.

The Irish Cancer Society normally raises in the region of €4million when traditional events are able to take place. However, last year the charity saw a €2million drop in income from the event after it was cancelled just days before it was due to take place.

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.

Helen Flynn, from Co Galway, diagnosed with breast cancer last October, is among those urging people to support Daffodil Day so that vital supports that are needed more than ever can continue.

She said: “A cancer diagnosis is a very isolating and terrifying thing, but with the added layer of covid-19 it has been so very tough. As a lone parent of two boys, cancer has utterly devastated our world, but the support I have received from the nurses on the Support Line, and the volunteer drivers taking me to and from my chemotherapy appointments has been an enormous help.

Please support this Daffodil Day so anyone affected by cancer can get the valuable support they need.”

To mark the day, shops, buildings and landmarks all across Ireland have turned yellow for Daffodil Day including Dublin’s Convention Centre, Liberty Hall, Eyre Square in Galway, Merchants Quay in Limerick and Cork City Hall.

Viewers can also tune in to a Late Late Show Daffodil Day special on RTÉ 1 at 9.35pm tonight, which will feature some very special guests, including 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. Through the partnership, Boots is committed to increasing awareness, supporting people affected by cancer and promoting cancer prevention. Boots’ 89 stores located nationwide will be raising vital funds by selling Daffodil pins in store and hosting virtual fundraisers across the country.

Stephen Watkins, Managing Director at Boots Ireland said: “Colleagues across our 89 stores nationwide are ready to join local communities again this Daffodil Day. Not a week goes by where our staff don’t come face to face with the impact that cancer has on our customers and patients in the local communities we serve. We are there to extend care and advice instore through our Boots Irish Cancer Society Information Pharmacists and Cancer Beauty Advisors, and in sponsoring Daffodil Day for the fourth year, we continue to play our part in ensuring cancer patients and their families are fully supported.”

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

To donate online go to https://donate.cancer.ie/

To donate via phone callsave 1850 60 60 60