Ennis Daffodil Day Committee launched Daffodil Day 2017 at an event in Treacy’s West County Conference & Leisure Hotel last night.
March 24th is the 30th anniversary of Daffodil Day and volunteers in Ennis will be out in force once again to raise crucial funds to help those affected by cancer.
Every three minutes in Ireland a person receives a cancer diagnosis. Over a 12 month period, 967 people were diagnosed with cancer in Clare. In order to provide information, support and care to people affected by cancer, the Irish Cancer Society needs to raise €3.98 million this year on Daffodil Day.
Speaking at the launch Michael Guerin Jnr., Chairman of the Ennis Daffodil Day Committee and Mark Mellett, Head of Fundraising, Irish Cancer Society, urged members of the public to show their support for cancer patients and their families on Daffodil day.
Michael Guerin Snr., brought Daffodil Day to Clare 30 years ago and when he passed away his son Michael took up the baton.
Michael Guerin Jnr., said: “Since 1988 €66m has been raised nationwide on Daffodil Day to support thousands of people affected by cancer. People of Clare have been instrumental in raising these funds and we thank you for your staunch support to date. As cancer incidence increases, we need your support more than ever before to ensure no one in our community faces cancer alone. Please give what you can on Daffodil Day and make a difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.”
Funds raised support a range of services, including the Society’s Night Nursing service which provides palliative care to cancer patients in Ireland, allowing those at the end of their cancer journey to remain at home with their loved ones.
Last year 40 cancer patients in Clare received 196 nights of care through the Society’s Night Nursing service.
Hilary Gough has been working as an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse in Clare for 15 years. She said, “When I go into a patient’s home I try to bring a sense of calmness, sensitivity, kindness and understanding with caring and comfort for the patients and their loved ones. The relief and reassurance expressed by families in the knowledge that their loved one is comfortable is evidence of the invaluable service of Night Nursing. It is a privilege and honour to be with a patient and family at such a precious time and funds raised on Daffodil Day allow me to do this.”
Patrick Morrissey, a driver with the Society’s Volunteer Driver Service in Clare, gave an overview of the free service which transports cancer patients to their chemotherapy appointments. In 2016 322 journeys were facilitated for 26 patients from Clare who used the Volunteer Driver Service.
To get involved in Daffodil Day in Ennis contact Michael Guerin on 0872045759 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday