Our 2022 Year in Review
Welcome to our 2022 in review! And what a year it has been!
From Daffodil Day’s return to the streets for the first time in two years, to the abolition of in-patient charges at hospitals, to our Your Health Matters roadshow that we brought nationwide, we certainly covered a lot of ground in 2022.
None of our work would be possible without your incredible support and we can’t thank you enough for being part of our community.
Here’s our 2022 highlights, along with the content you’ve been engaging with the most on our social media channels and website.
We also want to pay a special tribute to Vicky Phelan and remember her remarkable bravery, determination and kindness. Her passing was a terrible loss for her family, her many friends and also the nation.
5 things that happened in 2022
1. Daffodil Day
Our biggest fundraiser of the year returned to the streets for the first time in two years or Daffodil Day. March 25th was the day we took back from cancer. You baked, held coffee mornings, shook buckets, walked miles and came together for those who needed it most. This year we raised nearly €4.6 million, which is just incredible! The funds you helped raised on Daffodil Day will go towards the development of life-changing cancer research as well as providing vital cancer support services to patients and their families, ensuring nobody has to go through cancer alone. The Irish Cancer Society typically receives only 3% of its funding from the Government, so we rely on the generosity of our supporters to fund vital cancer services, such as our Support Line, Night Nursing Service and our Volunteer Driver service. On behalf of everyone who benefits from these services, thank you for your continued support.
2. In-Patient Charges are being abolished
After years of campaigning, we were delighted to welcome the abolition of in-patient charges as part of September’s Government budget! These charges could cost up to €800 a year and this could be passed to debt collectors if patients were unable to pay on time. This abolition of charges is a huge relief for patients at a tough time, both financially and emotionally. We will continue to campaign on the measures that didn’t get funded in Budget 2023, including the reduction in the cost of car parking charges, and the entitlement of every cancer patient to a medical card. Read more about the real cost of cancer here.
3. Your Health Matters Roadshow
‘Your Health Matters’ health check and awareness events popped up across the country throughout 2022. This year, the Roadshow has visited 17 different locations around the country. To date this year, over 16,000 people have learned about the importance of early detection, and over 1,300 people have received health checks in 2022. Find out about upcoming roadshow dates here.
4. Leave Our Leave
In June, we launched the ‘Leave Our Leave’ campaign to highlight the plight of those who are diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. Current legislation prevents women from deferring their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer. We want legislative change so that no one has to face the injustice of forfeiting their maternity leave, which affects approximately 60 women every year. Read our Advocacy Champion Erica Tierney’s story here.
5. The Big Pink Breakfast
In October, we launched our first Big Pink Breakfast as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month alongside our Care For Your Pair awareness campaign. You brought your friends, families and workplaces together to host pink breakfasts across the country and were completely taken aback by the response! We cannot thank you enough for making it such a huge success. We also had the talented baker Úna Leonard host an Instagram bake-along series on Sundays throughout the month – we highly recommend that you try her Mam’s Soda Bread Recipe, which you can find here.
Remembering Vicky
We are very saddened by the passing of Vicky Phelan. Without her courage and determination, others would not have known the truth behind the Cervical Cancer failings. Despite her own experience, she tirelessly encouraged others to take up the offer of screening with it was their turn. It is the promotion of screening that is such an important part of Vicky’s legacy, which will go onto save many lives.
On top of her national advocacy, which will leave a lasting impression on the country, Vicky was so generous with her time and energy to support others affected by cancer. Speaking about her own experiences was the catalyst for increased conversations and better supports for women in similar situations. In response, the Irish Cancer Society piloted the Women’s Health Initiative, to help women cope with a wide array of symptoms caused by their cancer treatment – including sexual problems, infertility and premature menopause. This ground-breaking programme for women was inspired by Vicky’s openness about the implications of her own cancer treatment, which also helped other women to break their silence regarding their own challenges.
We remember Vicky’s empathy, openness, good humour and her kind-hearted nature that contributed so much to Irish life and the cancer community. Our thoughts are with her children, Amelia and Darragh, husband Jim and all her family and friends.
Remembering Carmel
In March, we were devastated by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Carmel Murphy. As the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Relay For Life’ Champion, she supported Relay For Life volunteers across the country. When she joined the Irish Cancer Society, Carmel was open about her experience as a cancer survivor. She was enthusiastic about using her experience to help and inspire others. Carmel always maintained her focus on the cause and her commitment to helping others.
Carmel Murray was named Volunteer of the Year at last weekend’s Volunteer Ireland Awards, which is such a fitting recognition of her tireless commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients. Carmel was and will always remain a true inspiration.
What’s Been on Your Mind in 2022?
Here’s what you’ve been searching for, watching, commenting and liking on the most across our social media channels and on our website:
The most searched for topics on cancer.ie
- Chemotherapy
- Breast cancer
- Daffodil Day
- Skin cancer
- Prostate
Top liked posts
World Cancer Day 4th February
More than 44,000 in Ireland receive a cancer diagnosis each year. While the incidence of cancer in this country is growing, more people are surviving cancer than ever before. Our recognition of everyone who has been affected by cancer on World Cancer Day in February made it one of our top Instagram post of the year.
Breast Cancer Check Demo with Nurse Roz 19th October
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we had Roz, one of our cancer nurses to film a breast check demo that saw huge engagement across all our social media channels. It’s available any time on our Facebook and Instagram pages to share with family and friends.
Andrew Porter Shaving his head love on the Late Late Show for Daffodil Day – March 25th
Leinster and Irish prop Andrew Porter delighted Late Late Show viewers when he shaved off his distinctive blonde mane to support Daffodil Day – and our Twitter followers showed their appreciation too by making this the number one most liked post!
Meet the new Head of Children, Adolescents & Young Adults (CAYA)
This year, we welcomed Amy Nolan who joined as Head of Children, Adolescents & Young Adults (CAYA) at the Irish Cancer Society. The burden of cancer is immense at any age - however for families affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis; the challenges are enormous. Amy brings extensive experience in the field of oncology, working as a Lead Cancer Nurse at St. James’s Hospital Dublin before joining us, and with overall oncology experience spanning over 25 years. In her Head of CAYA role, Amy champions the needs of young patients and their families, advocating for and representing them at every opportunity.
September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This was a key month for CAYA - a time where people come together to raise awareness of childhood cancer “It’s about creating awareness that there are families going through this, who are in need of support and that the Irish Cancer Society can provide supports for them,” Amy says.
This year Amy oversaw the introduction of a cancer coordinator nurse in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and the launch of camps, which cater for families with children with a cancer diagnosis in partnership with Barretstown. Another CAYA achievement was the expansion of the Volunteer Driver Service to provide transport for children and adolescents with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy /and or radiotherapy at CHI, Crumlin
“My role is multi-faceted and impactful for CAYA patients and families,” she says.
Our Social Media Cancer Q&As
2022 saw the introduction of our Instagram Q&As, where experts would answer your questions regarding particular cancers. We made callouts for your questions on social media and released the videos on our Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories and on our YouTube Channel.
We had:
- Our Cancer Nurse Fionnuala Creighton
Bowel Cancer - Dr. Bláithín Moriarty, Dermatologist, St. Vincent’s University Hospital
Skin Cancer - Dr. Sinéad Brennan, Oncologist St. Luke’s Hospital
Head & Neck Cancer - Irish Cancer Society’s Pádraig Ó Ruairc, Supports Programme Coordinator (Practical and Financial), Alexandra Phelan McGahon, Supports Programme Coordinator (Psychosocial) and Elaine Smyth, Children's Cancer Coordinator
Childhood Cancer Virtual Panel - Prof. Jaruska Naidoo, consultant medical oncologist at Beaumont Hospital Dublin
Lung Cancer - Dr. Robert Flynn, consultant Urologist Beacon Hospital
Prostate Cancer
We would like to say a massive Thank You to all our experts for taking the time out to record their videos and answer everybody’s questions.
Our 2022 series saw huge engagement numbers and we’re planning a lot more for 2023. Find all our Q&A Content on our YouTube or Instagram account Highlights.
If you want to see a particular topic covered by an expert in 2023, send us a message on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
Keeping things in check
Have you tried our online cancer checkers? Have a go and learn about your cancer risks.
Find support
As always, these are not diagnostic tools so you should contact your GP if you have any concerns at all.
Living Well and Beyond Cancer 2022 Videos
Our annual national conference took place in person and online on Saturday 3rd September. We were delighted to be able to host a physical event for the first time in 2 years and had a wide range of speakers sharing their experiences, stories and expert knowledge on living well after a cancer diagnosis
Thanks to your generous support this year, we’re able to plan ahead to help all those affected by cancer in Ireland. This includes exciting plans for Daffodil Day in March 2023, which will be like no other (but we need to keep secret for now!), advocating for cancer patients to make their voices heard at government-level, and extending our core services to help as many people as we can.
And remember, if you or someone close to you is affected by cancer, you can call our Freephone Support Line on 1800 200 700 or email supportline@irishcancer.ie. This service is staffed by experienced cancer nurses where anyone concerned about cancer can get trusted information and advice about any type of cancer.
None of this would be possible without you, and we are so grateful for all your help this year.
Here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2023!
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1800 200 700