8 people in Offaly diagnosed with cancer every week
The Irish Cancer Society and Dell launch Daffodil Day 2015 in Offaly. Daffodil Day, supported by Dell, will take place in Offaly on Friday March 27th 2015. This year marks the 28th Daffodil Day, Ireland’s longest running and biggest fundraising day. The Society announced a growth in cancer incidence that is sure to have a direct impact on its services – increasing the need for the people in Offaly to support Daffodil Day so they can reach their fundraising target of €3.5 million for 2015.
Volunteers from Birr, Co. Offaly , pictured with Rugby star Tony Ward at the national launch of the Irish Cancer Society’s 28th Daffodil Day 2015, supported by Dell, from left to right; Frank Jackson, Kay Eades and Mary Garahy.
Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Cancer Society said, “Every family in Offaly is touched by cancer, and these new figures confirm that cancer rates are growing. As cancer is increasing so are our efforts to fight it. As the national cancer charity we are working harder to ensure that every family in need of support in Offaly has access to our services. To meet the increased demand for help as more people get and survive cancer we need to raise even more money this year on Daffodil Day.”
Funds raised on Daffodil Day by thousands of volunteers across Ireland go directly to fund the work of the Society across support, prevention, research and advocacy. Night Nursing is one service funded by Daffodil Day. Last year the Society was able to fulfil 96 per cent of requests for a night nurse. Seventy Five percent of cancer patients wish to die at home surrounded by family, yet only 25% get to do so. The Irish Cancer Society provides the only night time care service for cancer patients in their own homes. In 2014 the Society’s nurses provided 299 nights of care to 66 patients Offaly and this service is fully funded by the people of Offaly who consistently support the work of the Society.
Volunteers from Clara, Co Offaly, pictured with GAA Pundit Marty Morrissey at the national launch of the Irish Cancer Society’s 28th Daffodil Day 2015, supported by Dell, from left to right; Mary McRedmond, Mary Scully, Patricia O’Meaghar, Angela Sheridan.
Mr McCormack continued, “We won’t give up until every person affected by cancer in Offaly has the support they need and we need the support of everyone in Offaly to make this possible. We know our volunteers won’t give up, we know Dell – our lead partner – won’t give up and we need every person in Offaly to join us in this fight. We still have some way to go to fully support patients who will die from their cancer. We won’t give up until we reach that future without cancer – and I know the Irish public won’t either.”
It’s vital that Daffodil Day reaches its ambitious fundraising target of €3.5 million in order to continue to provide and expand this service and others. The Society and Dell, lead partner for Daffodil Day, are calling on the public to help support the campaign onFriday 27th March and ask people to volunteer, organise or donate on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday.
Also speaking at the launch, Liam Halpin, General Manager, Dell Ireland said, “Dell employs 2,300 people in Ireland and we have campuses in Cherrywood in Dublin, in Limerick and in Cork. Each and every one of these employees have joined the Daffodil Day volunteering army in one way or another and it’s been great to see the momentum across the three campuses grow over the years. This is our fifth year as lead partner of the Daffodil Day campaign. We’re looking forward to a great day of fundraising to ensure the continued services provided by the Irish Cancer Society to people around the country.”
The Irish Cancer Society’s 28th Daffodil Day, supported by Dell, will take place in Offaly on Friday 27th March. Here is how you can support Daffodil Day 2015:
- Visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday or Callsave 1850 60 60 60
- Volunteer on Daffodil Day
- Organise a Daffodil Day event in your community or workplace
*based on cancer incidence figures from the National Cancer Registry from 2010-2012
