“The Irish Cancer Society were my first port in this storm”
World Cancer Day: Hollyoaks actress and breast cancer patient Ali Bastian urges public to go all in this Daffodil Day
West Cork based actress Ali Bastian was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in June 2024, after she discovered a lump in her left breast while breastfeeding her daughter Izzy.
Today, on World Cancer Day, Ali is urging communities from every county in Ireland to turn daffodil yellow on Daffodil Day March 28th and go all in to raise vital funds and give hope to cancer patients.
Speaking ahead of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day 2025 launch, Hollyoaks actress and breast cancer patient, Ali Bastian said:
“The Irish Cancer Society have been such an invaluable support for me and my family. You could say they were my first port in this storm. After I received my breast cancer diagnosis, I went to the Daffodil Centre at the hospital in Cork, I met with an incredible Daffodil Nurse who sat with me and offered me so much comfort and warmth. She talked me through the best way to tell my children the news about my cancer and all the resources I might need to help get me through my treatment. Later, when I started my chemotherapy, I had to stay overnight in the hospital. My Daffodil Nurse called up to the ward to see me in my bed, she was honestly like an angel. Having that human support, someone to hold your hand and guide you through such a challenging time – I cannot put into words what it means.
“I am still navigating my experience with cancer, but I want anyone going through something similar to know, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. We all live in a world where we try to be as independent as possible, but going through something like cancer, it is so important to let in as much love and support as possible.
“It’s predicted 1 in 2 of us will hear the words ‘you’ve got cancer’ in our lifetimes. Each and every person should experience the same level of support and care that I had, I want to pay it forward, so I am encouraging everyone to support Daffodil Day in whatever way they can. None of these incredible, vital supports would exist without the public’s generosity on Daffodil Day and I really can’t fathom how different my cancer experience would have been without them. So please, go all in against cancer this Daffodil Day to give hope to every person facing this disease in Ireland.”
Today, on World Cancer Day, the Irish Cancer Society is also launching new, holistic services to meet some of the unmet needs of cancer patients across Ireland. These free services include a Diet & Exercise programme, helping to improve cancer patients’ quality of life following a cancer diagnosis.
They are also introducing a Welfare & Supports service, which will work to address additional challenges facing patients and their families by advising on issues like social welfare entitlements, medical card applications, housing and mortgages, childcare, or talking to your workplace about your diagnosis. To access these services, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or at cancer.ie.
Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said:
“Hearing ‘its cancer’ can be such a confusing and vulnerable time for people, but we at the Irish Cancer Society are here to help. Our new services help to meet the unmet needs of cancer patients and their families. Misinformation around diet and cancer is rife, and for someone who's just been diagnosed with cancer, it can be easy to go down a rabbit hole of alleged cancer cures or cancer diets. The Irish Cancer Society Diet & Exercise programme offers patients evidence based, specialist advice from an Oncology Dietitian. This helps people to understand the importance of eating well and helps dispel myths around fad diets.
“We know that exercise has huge benefits for cancer patients both during and after treatment. Our free exercise classes, through Exwell medical, help patients to improve energy levels, reduce anxiety and build strength and fitness in a fun and supportive environment.
“Time and again we hear from patients who are struggling to navigate the financial and practical issues a cancer diagnosis brings. Our Welfare & Supports team offer free tailored advice to anyone who needs support on things like accessing financial and practical supports when going through cancer.
“None of our free, lifechanging services would be possible without the incredible generosity of the public on days like Daffodil Day. We get just 5% of our funding from government, so we rely on fundraising to fuel our work. We’re encouraging everyone to get involved and go all in this Daffodil Day to raise vital funds for cancer patients and their families. The more we raise on Daffodil Day, the more we can do.”
Daffodil Day takes place on Friday March 28th. Whether you want to get involved with your school, company, or in your community, there are lots of ways to go all in and support cancer patients across Ireland. Visit cancer.ie to get involved or learn more.
