The bright flower bundles are ready, the pins are prepped and the smiles will be free today for Daffodil Day 2019.
Over 6,000 volunteers will be taking to the streets across Ireland this Friday March 22nd to help raise crucial funds for people affected by cancer.
On average, 1,050 people in Donegal are diagnosed with cancer annually.
The Irish Cancer Society says it needs to raise €4m in donations on the day to meet increased demand for its free support services.
Last year, with the help of Daffodil Day donations, 318 counselling sessions were provided to people from Donegal to help them deal with a cancer diagnosis.
This represents an 18% increase in the number of sessions provided in 2016. With cancer incidence on the rise, the Society expects even more people to seek counselling in 2019, a demand that can only be met if enough funds are raised on Daffodil Day.
Launch of Daffodil Day 2019: From left are, Martin Hopkins, Margaret McFadden, Lorraine McDaid, Ena Barrett, Alan Alcorn, Roisin McCaffrey and Gregg Sullivan. Photo Clive Wasson
Also last year, 51 terminally ill cancer patients in Donegal received 196 nights of care through the Night Nursing service.
Over the course of Daffodil Day 150 people will receive a cancer diagnosis in Ireland, and over 40,000 people will hear the words ‘you have cancer’ by the end of 2019.
98% of the Irish Cancer Society’s income is from donations, and money raised will help fund lifesaving cancer research and services including Night Nursing and the Society’s 13 Daffodil Centres.
Public support is crucial according to local organiser Veronica McAteer, who urged locals to show their support on Daffodil Day.
“People of Donegal have always been generous in their support of Daffodil Day, but with more people being diagnosed with cancer, we need to ramp up our efforts to ensure they get the help they need. Not only will donations fund services like Night Nursing, but also cancer research to help more people survive cancer. Please help us by volunteering to sell daffodils, or simply by buying a daffodil on March 22nd,” Veronica said.
Show your support by buying a daffodil from a volunteer, your local Boots store, or donating at www.cancer.ie
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