Jacinta Ahern Boyle from Belturbet was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1998.

Cavan goes all in against cancer this Daffodil Day

Cavan woman and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patient, Jacinta Ahern Boyle from Belturbet, is calling on her local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, today (Friday), March 22.

Jacinta (62) was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 1998. She has been living with her cancer since then.

Reflecting on her experience, Jacinta said: “If you are like me and living with cancer, try live your life as normally as you can. Don’t beat yourself up when you know you can’t do something, or you aren’t physically able to do something. Be empathetic with yourself. You know your own body best. Don’t feel guilty saying no.”

When Daffodil Day first began in 1986, just three out of every 10 Irish people survived a cancer diagnosis. Today, thanks to investment in innovative cancer research, that number has doubled.

In 2023, the Irish Cancer Society provided over 100 free lifts to bring Cavan based cancer patients to their treatment; over 150 free counselling sessions to people living in Cavan; and almost 115 nights of free night nursing care to allow cancer patients in Cavan to die at home surrounded by loved ones.