100,000 calls to the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Helpline since 2006

News Article | 23 Mar 2012

The Irish Cancer Society and Dell call on the Irish public to support the 25th Daffodil Day on, Friday 23rd March

The Irish Cancer Society and Dell Ireland are calling on the Irish public to join the fight against cancer and support the 25th Daffodil Day, Friday 23rd March. All funds raised on the day will be used to fund the Society’s free nationwide care, information and support services for people with cancer and their families. On Friday, 5,000 volunteers will take to the streets of Ireland selling fresh and silk daffodils and commemorative Daffodil Day 25 pins.

More people are availing of the Society’s free patient care services than ever before. In advance of the 25th Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society revealed that nearly 100,000 people have called the Society’s National Cancer Helpline with queries in the last five years. These stark new figures highlight the urgent need to continue to provide the Society’s free patient care services.

Daffodil Day, supported by Dell, also helps to fund 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.

Speaking in advance of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, CEO Irish Cancer Society said, “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 in the next eight years there will be over 43,000 new cases of cancer in this country. These alarming figures mean that the funds raised on Daffodil Day are vital if the Society is to continue to meet the demand for its range of free patient care services.

“This increase or epidemic as it is now known, is due to an ageing and increasing population and a general neglect of healthy lifestyle behaviours and is placing a massive demand on our services, which are funded entirely through voluntary contributions.

Mr. McCormack continued, “This year we are asking everyone in Ireland to join us and celebrate 25 years of Daffodil Day and help us reach our target of €3.5m so we can continue to provide support for families in every community in Ireland affected by cancer.”

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 their time to the Irish Cancer Society in the lead up to Daffodil Day and on the day itself.

Also speaking in advance of Daffodil Day, Caroline Grant, HR Director, Dell Ireland said: “2012 is a special year for Daffodil Day as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. We’re delighted to be a part of the campaign as the Irish Cancer Society’s official partner. Our employees have generated really innovative ways to help raise more money for this year’s campaign. As part of these efforts we have added some new elements this year – specifically in the technology and social media area –whereby we can bring some added expertise to the Irisih Cancer Society team. Together we have developed a Twibbon for Facebook and Twitter users to promote and show their support for Daffodil Day. On Friday the Dell campuses in Limerick and Cherrywood are going yellow for the day to raise money for Daffodil Day. We’re delighted to be part of the campaign and I hope everyone will support the day in any way they can.”

Sinéad O’Brien, breast cancer survivor said, “As a breast cancer survivor and someone who has used the Society’s services, I know the difference Daffodil Day makes to people living with cancer around Ireland.

The Daffodil Centre nurses were able to offer myself and my family, support and information during a very difficult time and I would encourage everyone to buy a daffodil and support the Irish Cancer Society.”

The Irish Cancer Society’s 25th Daffodil Day will take place across the country, Friday 23rd March and this year it’s even easier to get involved.

How you can support the 25th Daffodil Day: