Dublin woman calls for community to go all in against cancer this Daffodil Day

Dublin woman and breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Ruth O’Sullivan from Sandyford, is calling on her local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which takes place on Friday, March 28. 

Ruth O’Sullivan, 55, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2014 after noticing a small lump in her breast.

She underwent a lumpectomy, lymph node removal, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and her treatment was a success.

However, in the summer of 2023 Ruth began to experience severe back pain, which tests revealed was being caused by a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

She underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and responded well to her treatment and is hoping to return to work in the banking sector on a phased basis.

However, in the summer of 2023 Ruth began to experience severe back pain, which tests revealed was being caused by a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

She underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy and responded well to her treatment. Ruth recently returned to work in the banking sector.

Reflecting on her cancer experience, Ruth said: “It’s like the whole year when I was in treatment had been shrunk down into hospital appointments and treatment, but I’m getting better.

“I recently started working again on a phased basis, and I’m very lucky to have a very supportive manager and team helping me to transition back.”

During the treatment for both of her cancer diagnoses, Ruth found the Irish Cancer Society website and the Daffodil Centre in St Vincent’s Hospital to be valuable sources of support and information.

“I went to the Daffodil Centre in Vincent’s to have a look at the booklets, and I spoke to a volunteer in there.

“She was very helpful, and I felt comfortable sharing my experiences and worries with her.

“I also looked at the Irish Cancer Society website a lot.

“One of the things it did, was it highlighted that I wasn’t the only person going through this. I wasn’t alone, and there was lots of support out there if I felt I needed it.

“Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fuelling life-changing cancer research and vital support services.

“I would encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 28th, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community.”

The Irish Cancer Society is there to ensure that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Irish public the Irish Cancer Society invests in ground-breaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Dublin.

In 2024, your generous support provided:

• Over 9,900 free lifts to bring Dublin-based cancer patients to their treatment
• Over 3,600 free counselling sessions to people living in Dublin
• Over 710 of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Dublin to die at home surrounded by loved ones
• Our Cancer Nurses had over 8,000 conversations with people from Dublin on our Support Line and in our Daffodil Centres

Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “One in two of us will hear the words, ‘You’ve got cancer’, in our lifetimes. There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t felt the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Right now, a child is hearing the words ‘It’s cancer’.

“A parent is holding on to hope for a treatment that hasn’t been discovered yet. And a researcher has an idea that could turn that hope into reality.

“Your support on Daffodil Day fuels life changing cancer research and vital free services and supports.

“We really need this year’s Daffodil Day to be the biggest yet to ensure we can be there for those who need us most in 2025. And we cannot do this without you.

“Your generosity on March 28th means patients and their families will have free supports like Counselling, Transport to treatment and Night Nursing services.

“Every year, communities across Dublin show up and paint the town yellow in support of cancer patients and their families.

“We’re urging you to stand with cancer patients once again, by going all in against cancer and getting involved or donating this Daffodil Day 28 March.

“Your generous support means everyone affected by cancer in Dublin will have access to the support they need, when they need it most.” 

Where the donations go:

• €30 can help provide transport for a patient to and from their chemotherapy treatment using the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service.
• €50 can help provide vital clinical equipment for an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse.
• €55 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.
• €60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life.
• €455 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.