THE Irish Cancer Society’s 28th Daffodil Day will take place this year against a backdrop of increasing rates of the disease in recent years.
A total of 160 people in Dublin are diagnosed with cancer every week, while cancer rates have risen by four per cent over the last three years.
The society has warned that as the growth in cancer incidence has a direct impact on its services, they need the people of Dublin to support Daffodil Day more than ever before so they can reach their fundraising target of
?¬3.5 million for 2015.
Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Cancer Society said:
“Every family in Dublin is touched by cancer, and these new figures confirm that cancer rates are growing.
“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 Dublin 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.
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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.
The Irish Cancer Society provides the only night time care service for cancer patients in their own homes.
Night Nursing is funded by Daffodil Day and last year the society was able to fulfil 96 per cent of requests for the service.
However, 75 per cent of cancer patients wish to die at home surrounded by family, yet only 25 per cent get to do so.
Mr McCormack added:
“We won’t give up until every person affected by cancer in Dublin has the support they need but we need the support of everyone in Dublin to make this possible.
“We know our volunteers won’t give up, we know Dell – our lead partner – won’t give up and we need every person in Dublin to join us in this fight.
“We still have some way to go to fully support patients who will die from their cancer. We won’t give up until we reach that future without cancer – and I know the Irish public won’t either.
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The society says it is vital that Daffodil Day reaches its ambitious fundraising target of
?¬3.5 million in order to continue to provide and expand this service and others.
The society and Dell, lead partner for Daffodil Day, are calling on the public to help support the campaign on Friday, March 27 and are asking people to volunteer, organise or donate on CallSave 1850606060 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday