Daffodil Day organisers appeal for volunteers

The local organisers for Daffodil Day are appealing for volunteers to sell daffodils in this the 30th year of the fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society.

This year Daffodil Day is on Friday, March 24, and organiser Teresa Downey, who herself marks 30 years as a volunteer, says: 'The Society won't give up until cancer does and we need the people of Cavan to continue this fight with us.'
Teresa is fronting the fundraising campaign in Cavan, assisted by Martina Lee Boyle and Rose Mary Allen.  'People always donate generously on the day, but without the team of volunteer collectors it would not be a success. More than 80 volunteers are needed in and around Cavan Town on the day so please volunteer now,' urges Teresa.
Since 1988, the people of Cavan have helped raise €66m on Daffodil Day, funding vital cancer research and support for people affected by cancer.
The latest research shows that incidence of cancer is rising and 150 people are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland every day. Most recent records from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland show that 510 people in Cavan were diagnosed with cancer over a 12-month period. 'We need your help to continue making breakthroughs in research, which will give people with cancer and their families time they didn’t think they had,' said Teresa. Half of cancers are preventable and early detection, screening and healthy lifestyles are reducing the numbers of lives lost to bowel, breast and other cancers.

Night nursing

The funds raised from Daffodil Day will go towards delivering the Night Nursing service nationwide. This is a free nursing service for people who are seriously ill and at the end of their cancer journey. Last year, 49 cancer patients in Cavan received 204 nights of care through the Society’s Night Nursing service.

Other services

Daffodil Day also helps to fund other services for people affected by cancer. Last year the Society distributed 456 cancer information booklets and leaflets free of charge to Cavan and some 136 journeys were facilitated for 14 patients from Cavan who used the Volunteer Driver Service.
Grants totalling €2,100 were provided to five families in Cavan through the Society’s Financial Support Programme, which supports parents of children who are undergoing cancer treatment and experiencing financial hardship. €2,400 was granted to Cuan Cancer Social Support and Wellness Group to provide counselling to cancer patients and their families.

Volunteer

To volunteer on Daffodil Day, call Teresa on either 049-4362913 or 086-8169933, Martina on 086-3782928 or Rose Mary on 086-3492386.
Daffodil Day volunteers are also needed for various town and villages throughout the county.  If your town/village does not have an on-street collection on Daffodil Day, do please get in touch with one of the ladies above. This year the Society needs to raise over €3m on Daffodil Day to fund vital services and important cancer research. The public can support Daffodil Day on 24 March by: Holding a coffee morning or event at home, in school or in their workplace
• Registering as a volunteer to help sell daffodil pins 
• Buying a daffodil from one of our volunteers in their community
• Donating online at www.cancer.ie