Laois cancer survivor calls on community to support Daffodil Day

STRADBALLY woman Ellen Deegan who is a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor is calling on the community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day which takes place on Friday 28 March.

Ellen was diagnosed with cancer when she was 15 after developing a lump on her neck and experiencing ongoing fatigue.

She is is now thankfully doing well and wants to encourage the community to support this year’s Daffodil Day.

Ellen said: “I will always remember the day I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was only when the doctor began discussing chemotherapy and wigs that I fully realised I had been diagnosed with cancer. I was so young. I didn’t properly process it all. I broke down at the thought of losing my hair, I loved it so much and couldn’t bear the idea of not having it anymore.

“Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fuelling life changing cancer research and vital support services, I would encourage everyone to please get out there and donate on Daffodil Day on March 28 and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community.” 

 The Irish Cancer Society ensures that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer.

Thanks to the generosity of the Irish public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in groundbreaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Laois.

In 2024 the support provided almost 400 free lifts to bring Laois-based cancer patients to their treatment. Over 310 free counselling sessions to people living in Laois and over 280 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Laois to die at home surrounded by loved ones.

Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “One in two of us will hear the words ‘You’ve got cancer’ in our lifetimes. There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t felt the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Right now, a child is hearing the words ‘It’s cancer’. A parent is holding on to hope for a treatment that hasn’t been discovered yet. And a researcher has an idea that could turn that hope into reality.

“Your support on Daffodil Day fuels life changing cancer research and vital free services and supports. We really need this year’s Daffodil Day to be the biggest yet to ensure we can be there for those who need us most in 2025. And we cannot do this without you.” 

Ms Power said: “Your generosity on Friday 28 March means patients and their families will have free supports like counselling, transport to treatment and Night Nursing services. Every year, communities across Laois show up and paint the town yellow in support of cancer patients and their families. We’re urging you to stand with cancer patients once again, by going all in against cancer and getting involved or donating this Daffodil Day. Your generous support means everyone affected by cancer in Laois will have access to the support they need, when they need it most.” 

 Where the donations go:

€30 can help provide transport for a patient to and from their chemotherapy treatment using the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service. €50 can help provide vital clinical equipment for an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse. €55 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home. €60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life. €455 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.

For more information about Daffodil Day log onto https://www.cancer.ie/daffodilday