Fundraising
Each year the Irish Cancer Society is able to provide free information, care and support to over 1.2 million people across Ireland who are affected by cancer. These activities come at a cost of over €20 million each year.
Because the Society receives only 3% of its funding from the Government, we depend on donations, fundraising campaigns and our charity shops to raise the funds needed to carry out our mission.
Each year we work to raise over €17 million in donations, legacies (gifts left through wills and estates) and fundraising, as well as another €4 million though our shops.
We raise funds through several different methods so that we don't rely on any one source of income.
These different methods include:
Irish Cancer Society fundraising campaigns
Each year we run fundraising campaigns like Daffodil Day, Relay For Life, and Cups Against Breast Cancer. Thousands of volunteers come together by holding events and selling merchandise in their local communities and workplaces in order to raise funds to support the Irish Cancer Society’s mission.
January to October
Overseas treks and running events
Supporters of all fitness levels take on physical endurance events like overseas expeditions and marathons both in Ireland and abroad, collecting pledges from their friends and family and donating the money to support our work.
March
Daffodil Day
Our annual fundraising day takes place each March. Thousands of people across Ireland hold coffee mornings in their homes and workplaces and collect donations to support free care and support for cancer patients.
April
Today FM's Dare to Care
Today FM presenters dare their listeners to challenge themselves for a good cause during our Dare to Care campaign. Supporters dare one another to do something, collect pledges along the way and make their dare happen when they've reached their goal.
April to October
Relay For Life
Taking place in over a dozen communities in Ireland in the spring and summer, Relay brings the whole community together for a celebration of life and to remember those lost to cancer.
June
Colour Dash
Our family-friendly paint run takes place in 4 locations during June. Participants pay a fee to get in to the 5 km event and run, walk or jog the course while getting hit by powdered paint along the way. Colour Dash is supported by our friends at Aldi Ireland.
July
Marathon in a Month
In July, runners and wannabe marathoners take on the challenge of completing the length of a marathon in their own time, in their own way, while fundraising along the way. Participants can walk, jog, run, swim, bike, hike - it's entirely up to them!
August
Hurling for Cancer Research
Each year, Kildare hosts an evening of GAA and horse racing stars organised by horseracing legend Jim Bolger and champion jockey Davy Russell, with ticket sales funding life-saving cancer research happening right here in Ireland.
October
Cups Against Breast Cancer
In October hundreds of people organise coffee mornings in their homes and workplaces and sell pink ribbons to raise funds to support breast cancer patients and their loved ones.
November
Movember
Men and women alike raise funds and start conversations about men's health, including prostate cancer, during November, as part of the annual Movember campaign. Men grow moustaches, or participants hold events to raise funds in their communities.
Community-led fundraising
Each year supporters from communities across Ireland organise their own fundraisers to support our work. Through head shaves, galas, pub quizzes and many other types of events, over €1 million is raised each year thanks to the hard work of our local supporters.
Monthly donations
Monthly donations represent an important source of dependable incomes for the Society, allowing us to plan ongoing services and research funding.
We are inspired by those individuals who share our determination to make a long-term commitment to supporting people affected by cancer and to investing in more research to effectively address the devastating cancer problem in Ireland.
Read more about monthly giving.
Corporate fundraising
Our corporate partnerships continue to be a critical way for us to raise funds. Our corporate partnership programme offers companies across Ireland a great way to get involved and share in our mission.
Read more about our corporate partnerships.
