“Cancer patients need our help more than ever before” - Irish Cancer Society

Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar today urged the nation to get behind the Irish Cancer Society’s most important Daffodil Day. The Taoiseach was joined by the Irish Cancer Society’s CEO, Averil Power and Night Nurse Mary Twohill, as well as cancer survivor and father of two, Christopher Monaghan, outside Government buildings to celebrate upcoming Daffodil Day on Friday, March 24th

The society says that the cost of living crisis has put an added strain on those impacted by cancer, causing increased demand for their services, particularly financial advice and counselling.

The charity is now supporting people with far higher levels of distress than normally associated with a cancer diagnosis, requiring more counselling supports than ever before.

The number of drives the society’s transport services has provided has increased by 30% in the past year.

Meanwhile, expenditure on the society’s Children’s Fund has increased fourfold from €153k in 2020 to €672k in 2022.

The Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to donate this weekend to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer. Collections will take place in towns and shopping centres across the country from Friday, March 24th- Sunday, March 26th. People can also donate at https://www.cancer.ie/

In September 2020, 26-yearold father of two, Chris Monaghan was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He speaks of the support he received from the Irish Cancer Society throughout his diagnosis.

“Daffodil day is such an important day, not only for myself, but also for so many others who are impacted by cancer every year across Ireland. This day helps to spread awareness of the reality of cancer, but it also helps raise donations to fund vital support services and life-changing cancer research projects. This is my first year involved in the campaign and I look forward to supporting this day for years to come.

“My first interaction with the Irish Cancer Society was not long after receiving my own diagnosis. I went to the Daffodil Centre in St Vincent’s Hospital with my partner Sinead. It was here that I met with a Daffodil Nurse and she helped me understand my own entitlements. This was a difficult time, trying to understand about going on illness benefit, filling in all the required forms, all while juggling the treatment plan ahead of me. Having this support on that day, was invaluable.

“Thankfully I am now doing much better and have since gone on to attend the Irish Cancer Society’s national conference on living well after a cancer diagnosis. This included presentations and workshops on the practical, emotional, and wellbeing aspects of going through cancer. All of this and more have helped give me confidence to speak with others about my diagnosis and its many affects.

“I would encourage everyone to please support Daffodil Day on March 24th, without the generosity of the many donors, fundraisers and volunteers on this day, the services and supports I received would simply not be available.”

The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar said, "The Irish Cancer Society provides invaluable help and assistance to cancer patients and their families across Ireland.

"I encourage everyone to support Daffodil Day on March 24th to help fund their work with patients and families, and to boost cancer research.

"I wish the thousands of volunteers who give their time so generously every Daffodil Day the very best of luck this weekend, and I commend the public for their incredible generosity to families facing cancer over the year ahead.”

Averil Power, Irish Cancer Society CEO said this is our most important Daffodil Day yet!

"There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t been affected by cancer and we at the Irish Cancer Society are determined to do everything we can to ensure that everyone affected by the disease has access to world-class treatment, care and support.

"Our essential work is powered by fundraising and we cannot continue to provide our vital services without the public’s incredible generosity.

"People with cancer need our help more than ever before. The impact of COVID-19 – and other challenges - on our healthcare system means that thousands of people missed the opportunity to have their cancer detected early in recent years. As a result, they are now being diagnosed with later stage cancers that require much more aggressive treatment and that sadly also have significantly lower chances of survival.

"And while the cost of living crisis is tough for everyone, it’s so much harder for people going through cancer. As a result of these and other challenges, we have seen a big increase in demand for many of our services," she said.

Please, give what you can this Daffodil Day, and help us to ensure that nobody in Ireland faces cancer alone, Ms Power urged.

For more check https://www.cancer.ie/