Daffodil Day is the Irish Cancer Society’s largest fundraiser that raises millions of euro to support the Irish Cancer Society’s free, nationwide services for those with, and affected by cancer in Ireland. The society not only provides essential services and support for cancer patients and their families, but also provides the public with information about cancer, advocates for improvements in cancer care and treatment within Ireland, and is the leading voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland.
Cancer Statistics in Ireland
- More than 40,000 cancers are diagnosed each year in Ireland.
- Skin cancer is the most common diagnosis in Ireland, followed by prostate, breast, bowel and lung cancer.
- Cancer is the second biggest killer in Ireland. It accounts for approximately 30% of deaths every year; heart disease accounts for 31% of all deaths.
- 9,000 people die from cancer each year in Ireland.
- Lung cancer is the biggest killer in Ireland, followed by bowel, breast, prostate and pancreas cancer.
- The risk of dying from cancer is 34% higher for men than it is women.
This year the day falls on March 23rd and marks the 31st anniversary of Daffodil Day in Ireland. Each year thousands of volunteers, businesses, local communities and workplaces across the country come together to collect much needed funds by selling flowers and daffodil pins to help fight the battle against cancer.
How You Can Support
- Volunteer with the Irish Cancer Society to spend a few hours on Daffodil Day selling flowers, pins and other merchandise.
- Order a box of Daffodil Day pins and merchandise to sell in your local community.
- Hold your own Daffodil Day event such as a coffee morning in your local community or workplace.
- Make a donation and dedicate a daffodil flower in the Irish Cancer Society’s Garden of Hope.
Each and every one of us has been affected, directly or indirectly by cancer, yet despite the frighteningly high statistics, progress is being made in cancer research and more people than ever are surviving. Today there are more than 165,000 cancer survivors in Ireland! However, none of this progress would be possible without the support of the Irish public so remember to donate as much as you can and continue to help make a difference to the lives of cancer patients.
For more information on cancer in Ireland and Daffodil Day, see the Irish Cancer Society website https://www.cancer.ie.
