NINETEEN people in Kerry diagnosed with cancer every week, according to the Irish Cancer Society, as they launched this year’s Daffodil Day.
Daffodil Day, supported by Dell, will take place in Kerry on Friday March 27. This year marks the 28th Daffodil Day, Ireland’s longest running and biggest fundraising day.
The Society announced a growth in cancer incidence (based on cancer incidence figures from the National Cancer Registry from 2010-2012) that is sure to have a direct impact on its services – increasing the need for the people in Kerry to support Daffodil Day so they can reach their fundraising target of €3.5 million for 2015.
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“Every family in Kerry is touched by cancer, and these new figures confirm that cancer rates are growing,” said John McCormack, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Cancer Society.
“As cancer is increasing so are our efforts to fight it. As the national cancer charity we are working harder to ensure that every family in need of support in Kerry has access to our services. To meet the increased demand for help as more people get and survive cancer we need to raise even more money this year on Daffodil Day,” said Mr McCormack.
Funds raised on Daffodil Day by thousands of volunteers across Ireland go directly to fund the work of the Society across support, prevention, research and advocacy. Night Nursing is one service funded by Daffodil Day. Last year the Society was able to fulfil 96 per cent of requests for a night nurse.
In 2014 the Society’s nurses provided 312 nights of care to 74 patients in Kerry and this service is fully funded by the people of Kerry who consistently support the work of the Society.
Mr McCormack continued, “We won’t give up until every person affected by cancer in Kerry has the support they need and we need the support of everyone in Kerry to make this possible,” said Mr McCormack.
The Society and Dell, lead partner for Daffodil Day, are calling on the public to help support the campaign on Friday 27th March and ask people to volunteer, organise or donate on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday
Here is how you can support Daffodil Day 2015:
* Visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday or Callsave 1850 60 60 60
* Volunteer on Daffodil Day
* Organise a Daffodil Day event in your community or workplace
