Springing into action ahead of Daffodil Day

A GROUP of local volunteers are getting ready to spring into action in preparation for this year’s Daffodil Day, raising much-needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
The Clare Daffodil Day Committee will launch this year’s campaign in Ennis on Monday, with chairman Michael Guerin encouraging people to come along and get involved.
The official launch will take place on Monday in the West County Hotel at 8pm.
“Everybody is welcome to come along to the West County for the launch, which we are holding in advance of this year’s Daffodil Day, which takes place on March 22.
“Every year, we receive lots of local support and we are hopeful that this year we will raise even more to fund vital services. Our volunteers do great work and we are always open to new people to get involved in volunteering, either by selling daffodils on the day or by even donating fresh daffodils,” said Michael whose late father, also Michael, was instrumental in the setting up of the Clare Cancer Support Group in 1986.
According to the Irish Cancer Society, providing cancer patients with information and support during their cancer journey is an important part of their new strategy, A Future Without Cancer.
The society’s cancer information service reached 1,923 people in Clare last year. The key service funded by Daffodil Day and includes seven centres based in hospitals nationwide with plans for seven more in the next two years; the National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700), which also includes cancer chat, queries through email and social media; and a suite of booklets and leaflets. The services are free, confidential and available nationwide.
Most recent data from the National Cancer Registry shows that of the 26,255 people diagnosed with cancer in 2010, 732 of those were in Clare. During 2012 the National Cancer Helpline supported 103 enquiries from Clare. Of the 183,186 cancer information booklets and factsheets distributed nationwide by the society, 1,820 were sent to people in Clare.
Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said, “2013 marks a significant year for the Irish Cancer Society. It is our 50th year of operation and we are happy to be heading into the next 50 years with an ambitious and exciting new strategy. To turn our vision into reality, we need continued support from the public for campaigns like Daffodil Day. Daffodil Day is the biggest fundraiser of the society and reaching our target will have a huge impact on what we can achieve during 2013 and beyond.”
Mr McCormack continued, “It is also important for me to thank our volunteers in Clare who are the heart of the society and invest a huge amount of time into making Daffodil Day a success in their communities. For the last 26 years, these people have been the lifeblood of our organisation and their continued support is a tribute to what we have achieved during the last 50 years. This continued support is essential to our future success.
The society are calling on the people of Clare to help support the campaign on Friday, March 22 and ask people in Clare to volunteer, organise or donate on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday.