Cancer patient ‘felt the need to do something’
Pat McKerr, an Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Day fundraiser, began to recover from bowel cancer after five operations. The reason he became involved with Daffodil Day is that he felt a great need to do something, because he had been through a difficult time with cancer.
“The Irish Cancer Society are doing great work,” said the Mullingar man. “There are lots of good things happening in research, but as there is still no cure for cancer, they need all the money they can get to keep working. There are a lot of people in the same situation as I am.
“There’s a great deal of good support from people. I was in the hospital for quite a while – 12 weeks over two and a half years after I was diagnosed – and the people administering the treatment, particularly the nurses, are wonderful.”
Sadly, Pat lost his wife to cancer in January 2020 and now he is urging people to get behind a different Daffodil Day this year. Street sales and traditional fundraising events are not possible because of Covid-19 restrictions: instead, people are being encouraged to host virtual fundraisers and collections, purchase items from the online shop, or donate to mark the day, this Friday, March 26.
“It will be different because we won’t get to meet the neighbours this year, but we will be encouraging people to purchase their daffodils online and to donate on cancer.ie,” said Pat.
‘Feel like you again’
Cancer patients can access free support to manage visible side effects of cancer treatment and ‘Feel like you again’, as part of Boots Ireland’s partnership with the Irish Cancer Society. The service is a virtual consultation via phone or video. Book at boots.ie/no7/no7-book-an-appointment.
If you or anyone you know is affected by a cancer diagnosis, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone: 1800 200 700.