Kilkenny people urged to get behind national cancer fundraising campaign

Kilkenny people are being urged to throw their support behind what is being called the “most important Daffodil Day ever”.

Today marks the annual Daffodil Day in support of the Irish Cancer Society. But for the second year in a row the charity’s flagship fundraiser has been severely affected by Covid-19.

Usually Daffodil Day would see thousands turn out across the country to fundraise and sell the iconic daffodil pins.

The Irish Cancer Society normally raises in the region of €4 million when traditional events are able to take place.

However, last year the charity suffered a massive €2 million drop in income from the event after it was cancelled just days before it was due to take place.

With the collection buckets silent for the second year in a row, Kilkenny residents are being asked to support Daffodil Day online or by phone.

To mark the day, shops, buildings and landmarks all across Ireland have turned yellow for Daffodil Day including Dublin’s Convention Centre, Liberty Hall, Eyre Square in Galway, Merchant’s Quay in Limerick and Cork City Hall.

There will also be a Late Late Show Daffodil Day special on RTÉ 1 at 9.35pm tonight, when special guest Shane Filan of Westlife will tell of his heartbreak ofat losing both his parents to cancer within 10 months of each other. Meanwhile Jedward (pictured) will honour their mother who died from cancer in 2019 by shaving off their legendary quiffs.

Irish Cancer Society Acting CEO Conor King said: “Every year the people of Ireland rally together and stand in solidarity with cancer patients.  Today, on our most important Daffodil Day yet we may not be together, but we can still show our support for the cancer community.

“Despite the challenges of the last year the Irish Cancer Society is still here for people affected by cancer; through the cancer nurses on our Support Line, our Daffodil Centre staff, our dedicated Volunteer Drivers to bring people to chemotherapy and our Night Nurses, who provided more nights of precious end-of-life care than ever before.

“By donating at www.donate.cancer.ie, or supporting any of the other fundraisers happening today you are helping to ensure that we can continue to be there for anyone who needs it,” Mr King added.