A CLARE woman who is 26 weeks pregnant and undergoing treatment for breast cancer is urging the people of Clare to support cancer patients by getting involved with the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on Friday March 24.
34 year old Ciara Jones from Newmarket on Fergus was diagnosed with breast cancer, on the very same day that she learned she was 4 weeks pregnant.
Because of her pregnancy, Ciara’s medical team advised the mum of two to wait until 12 weeks to begin treatment, she says the waiting was the hardest part.
“There are no words for how I felt in those weeks. I had a lot of fear around losing the baby, that was really hard especially because I was told I wouldn’t be able to have any more kids. I couldn’t just try for another, it was a scary thought. But the pregnancy also helped me and gave me a focus. At 10 weeks, the lump had increased so they decided to do the mastectomy then. If it wasn’t for the baby I don’t know where I’d be, it was what powered me on.”
Ciara is now 26 weeks pregnant will have one more session of chemotherapy before the baby is induced at 36 weeks and then her chemotherapy will recommence at 4 weeks postpartum.
Ciara speaks of the amazing support she has received from friends and family over the last couple of months.
“I have had really amazing support. I think the hardest part about receiving a cancer diagnosis is learning to take care of yourself. My advice is to go easy on yourself. And reach out for support, there is so much available so don’t go through it alone.”
Ciara has setup an Instagram page to raise awareness about the importance of early detection. She is encouraging everyone to get involved this Daffodil Day, so that other cancer patients like her have the vital support they need throughout their diagnosis.
On top of funding life-changing cancer research, the Irish Cancer Society provides vital services and supports to patients and their families across Clare each year, including 224 nights of in-home Night Nursing for patients in their final days, and 203 free lifts to get patients safely to and from their hospital appointments in 2022.
The Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to take part in any way they can to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer, and says that this year’s Daffodil Day is their most important yet.
As well as donating at Cancer.ie and volunteering to help fundraise, people can purchase items from the Daffodil Day online shop.
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said, “Every three minutes, someone in Ireland, hears the words ‘you have cancer’. Cancer takes from us every day. It takes big days, little days, and everything in-between. It replaces them with treatment days and recovery days. But together, we have the power to take these days back from cancer. The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day is a day to give hope and raise vital funds so that one day, cancer can take no more.
“Daffodil Day is our most important fundraising event of the year with donations funding crucial supports including our Support Line, free counselling, our Night Nurses service, and financial support for families of children affected by cancer. The public’s generosity on Daffodil Day allows us to support life-changing cancer research
“At the Irish Cancer Society we want to support every single person in Ireland affected by cancer. But we cannot do this without your help. We typically receive 3% of our funding from the State. It’s only because of the generous support of the Irish public we are able to provide our free services and fund life-changing cancer research projects. We ask everyone to please get out there and help us turn Ireland daffodil yellow once again on March 24.”
For more information about Daffodil Day visit www.Cancer.ie/DaffodilDay .
Anyone with concerns or questions about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 and SupportLine@IrishCancer.ie
Ways to support Daffodil Day
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Donate at www.Cancer.ie/Donate or over the phone on 0818 10 20 30
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Donate through Facebook, Instagram or JustGiving
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Revolut users can donate to the Irish Cancer Society through the ‘Donations Tab’ on the Revolut app
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By texting DAFF (€4) to 50300
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By getting your primary school, secondary school or company involved: www.Cancer.ie/GetInvolved