25th Daffodil Day aims to reach €3.5m target
Pictured at the launch of Daffodil Day in Kickham Barracks , Darren Ryan and Joan Ambrose
The 25th anniversary of Daffodil Day was celebrated last Saturday in Kickham Barracks with the Clonmel launch of this annual event, which will take place on March 23.
It was an extra special occasion as it was the final time that this event will take place in Kickham Barracks, which is set to close on March 31 this year. Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Darren Ryan, who was present at the launch spoke of how emotional the event was because for the past eight years, personnel at Kickham Barracks were always happy and willing to host such an important occasion.
“The Clonmel of Daffodil Day is just an example of one of the community groups that use Kickham Barracks in a year and similar groups will suffer when the barracks is not here.”
This year the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) and Dell which is the lead partner for Daffodil Day are hoping to reach the 2012 target of €3.5m and revealed that demand for the ICS free patient care services increased significantly during 2011. The Society and Funds raised on Daffodil Day by thousands of volunteers across Ireland go directly to providing free cancer information and nursing services. This includes the Society’s free home-based night nursing service to seriously ill cancer patients. Irish Cancer Society night nurses provided over 8,000 nights of care to 2,014 patients in their own home across Ireland in 2011. This was an increase of nearly 13% since 2010.
Daffodil Day also helps fund the Irish Cancer Society’s flagship Cancer Information Service, including the National Cancer Helpline (freefone 1800 200 700). In 2011 cancer specialist nurses on the helpline responded to 22,120 enquiries, an increase of over 900 enquiries from 2010.
John McCormack, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said that since the ICS began in 1988, there has been a massive increase in the demand for its services due to the ever increasing incidence of cancer.
“Now, more than ever, the services we provide are crucial. The money we raise on Daffodil Day goes directly to support people with cancer and their families at every stage of the cancer journey,” said Mr. McCormack, who thanked Dell for continuing to provide its support to this important fundraising campaign.
Ireland’s cancer rate is one of the highest in the world. One in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime and it is estimated by 2020, 43,000 new cases will be diagnosed. These stark figures mean that the funds raised on Daffodil Day are essential if the Society is to continue to meet the demand for its range of free nationwide patient care services.
“This year we are asking every community in Ireland to join us in celebrating Daffodil Day reaching its 25th birthday and to help us reach our target of €3.5m. We need people to show solidarity and support for people and families across the country affected by cancer so that we can continue to meet their needs in 2012,” said Mr. McCormack.
In 2010 Dell Ireland became the Irish Cancer Society’s lead partner for Daffodil Day for a three year period until 2013. In addition to providing financial support Dell’s 2,300 employees are supporting the campaign by volunteering time and expertise to the Irish Cancer Society in the lead up to Daffodil Day and on the day itself.
The Irish Cancer Society’s 25th Daffodil Day will take place across the country on Friday March 23. Until then in Clonmel, Daffodil Day items, gifts and flower pins are available to purchase from O’Gorman’s pharmcay on Gladstone Street and everyone is urged to call in and have a look at the array of attractive items there. Please support this worthy cause. If you would like any further information about Daffodil Day in Clonmel, please contact Agnes O’Donoghue, chairperson of the Clonmel group, on 086-8828447.
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Saturday 19 May 2012
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