Daffodil Day volunteers, Caoimhe O’Dowd, Rita Blundell, Katie O’Dowd and Freda O’Dowd.

Daffodil Day volunteers will be out in force this Friday

Olga Aughey

Published: Wed 22 Mar 2023, 9:51 AM

In 2022, the money raised from Daffodil Day in Westmeath paid for 395 counselling sessions (provided through the remote service and at affiliate cancer support centres); 178 nights of night nursing to allow Westmeath patients to spend their final days at home with their loved ones; 390 volunteer drivers to take patients to and from cancer treatments; and 240 people in Westmeath were helped by the support line and Daffodil Centre nurses.

This year’s Daffodil Day collections are on the streets on Friday, March 24.

The committee have been busy preparing for the day and report that plans are well advanced. With the support of volunteers, local businesses and traders, they are hoping for a great response from the public.

Each year the number of cancer diagnoses increases in Ireland and as a result the demand for the Irish Cancer Society’s services and supports increases. Daffodil Day is the society’s primary fundraiser. The volunteers will be based at several locations around selling daffodil pins, silks, badges and other items. The support of the public cannot be underestimated as all funds raised go to support cancer patients and their families.

Marie O’Toole, Caoimhe O’Dowd, Dympna Price, Jeanette Corcoran, and Katie and Freda O’Dowd on Daffodil Day 2022 at the Muiriosa Centre, Robinstown.

The Irish Cancer Society provides free support through nursing care, counselling, and driver services as well as providing funding for cancer research. And as with last year there will be a number of ways to donate, including cashless options to donate through tap machines where a fixed donation can be made using a card or mobile phone. There will also be QR codes which can be scanned to make a contributions to the Irish Cancer Society.

Alternatively, the fundraising page is at justgiving.com/dd23-Mullingar, where you can contribute at any time during the month of March.

The committee expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone for their support over the years and offer special thanks to the volunteers (approximately 100), who are out on the streets, year after year, showing their support and loyalty for a great cause.