Daffodil Day 2021 just a bit different

For the last 20 years Mary Quirke from Rochfortbridge has raised funds for the Irish Cancer Society on Daffodil Day.

Last year, the event, which is the society’s biggest fundraiser, was cancelled due to Covid-19 and while the virus is still having a major impact on the way we live our lives, this year’s instalment is taking place, albeit online.

Mary and the other members of the Daffodil Day army of volunteers across the country, have taken their fundraising efforts for 2021 into the virtual realm. Hoping to match the €3,800 she raised in March 2019 at her usual Daffodil Day position outside the supermarket in Rochfortbridge, she has already exceeded her expectations and at the time of writing had raised almost €4,000.

Each year almost 45,000 Irish patients are diagnosed with cancer and while patients’ outcomes have improved significantly due to advances in medical science, the services the Irish Cancer Society provides are more in demand than ever before.

All money raised on Daffodil Day goes to funding the suite of free services provided by Irish Cancer Society, including its Freephone Support Line, counselling and its Night Nursing Service.

Now retired, Mary spent the last decade of her nursing career as a night nurse for the Irish Cancer Society and knows the comfort the free service provides to families when they need it most.

“The money we take in from Daffodil Day helps fund the Night Nursing Service, a free service for people who need to be nursed at home. They receive palliative care when they are dying. Everybody in the country is entitled to it. It is a fabulous service.

“I did it for 10 years and absolutely loved it. I met so many fabulous families and people. It actually wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Daffodil Day. When you have someone at home who is ill at home or dying, it can be a very worrying time. It can be so worrying that you can nearly not be able to function.

“The night nurse comes in from 11pm to 7am and it is to take the worry off the people and ensure that the person is comfortable. It is also to support the family because it is their wish that their loved gets care at home. It just gives them a break too.”

(Above) Mary Quirke with her son David.

In addition to Mary’s online fundraiser (see link below), people can also make Daffodil Day donations in Rochfortbridge Post Office. Mary’s son David is the proprietor of the Mullingar restaurant Wholesome Kitchen and has installed a Daffodil Day box where people can donate a few euro when they are getting their takeaways. While Daffodil Day officially takes place on March 26, Mary’s fundraising page will be active until the end of the month.

Although she has been a Daffodil Day volunteer for two decades, Mary continues to be bowled over by the level of support shown by the public each year. “It is incredible how generous people are, they are wonderful,” she says.

If you want to make a donation online click here.