For anyone who has lost two siblings to cancer, it is an incredibly difficult task to pick out one particular day that the disease took from them, but as a survivor herself Anne Dolan does have one memory from her own treatment that stands out.
“My daughter was expecting our first grandchild during my chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. It was such a terrifying time, not knowing if I’d be around to see the little child grow up,” recalls Anne, who thankfully came through the experience in 2016 to be told the following year that she was cancer-free.
“She is nearly five now, and is the love of my life. We also had our second grandchild last July, and it was so different this time. I’m determined to see both my grandchildren grow up,” says the proud grandmother and Corkwoman, who lives in Killarney.
Anne remembers the fright that came with discovering her diagnosis after a routine mammogram - only her “second one ever” - had picked up an abnormality. After losing her two brothers Tommy and Donie Lynch to cancer in 1997 and 2004 respectively, it was tough news to come to terms with.
“It was an awful worry when I got it because I thought ‘oh my god here we go again’. But thankfully it was a good outcome for me,” says Anne, who is now a big advocate for more women to attend for breast screening.
A long-time supporter of Daffodil Day given her own family’s history, Anne was able to call on the help of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Centre in Cork University Hospital during her time there.
I was always one of the first to get my daffodil every year and wear it with pride.
"Especially after the experience with my brothers, we’ve always been very supportive of it.
“The Daffodil Centre nurses referred me for the Look Good Feel Better programme and it was amazing. At the time you have no hair and you’re feeling like crap but it makes you feel like a million dollars, it’s a fabulous service.”
