Offaly woman Noeleen urges support for cancer patient services on Daffodil Day
An Offaly woman who went through treatment for breast cancer last year is urging the people of Offaly to support cancer patients by getting involved with the Irish Cancer Society's Daffodil Day on Friday, March 24.
Noeleen Dempsey from Clonbullogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after a routine BreastCheck appointment.
She says she found great solace in visiting the Irish Cancer Society website for trusted information and to read stories of other people going through a similar diagnosis.
The mother of five speaks of how tough it was going through treatment with a young family to raise, and is so grateful for the incredible support she received from friends and family.
“You’re so used to being in control and juggling who is where. In the space of 7 years I had 5 kids - my life was at the side of football pitches, cooking dinner and going to work. I realized it was probably the first time in 20 years I had taken a breath and taken my hand off the wheel.
“With time, I did get back to myself. I was so lucky that I had load of support. My friends and family were so good, we had dinners arriving at our door, the support and kindness around me was what got me through it. Don’t go through it alone, the help is out there, so reach out for support.”
On top of funding life-changing cancer research, the Irish Cancer Society provides vital services and supports to patients and their families across Offaly each year, including 506 free counselling sessions, 269 nights of in-home Night Nursing for patients in their final days, and 243 free lifts to get patients safely to and from their hospital appointments in 2022.
The Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to take part in any way they can to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer, and says that this year’s Daffodil Day is their most important yet.
As well as donating at Cancer.ie and volunteering to help fundraise, people can purchase items from the Daffodil Day online shop and take part in a steps challenge.
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: "Every three minutes, someone in Ireland, hears the words ‘you have cancer’.
"Cancer takes from us every day. It takes big days, little days, and everything in-between. It replaces them with treatment days and recovery days. But together, we have the power to take these days back from cancer.
"The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day is a day to give hope and raise vital funds so that one day, cancer can take no more.
“Daffodil Day is our most important fundraising event of the year with donations funding crucial supports including our Support Line, free counselling, our Night Nurses service, and financial support for families of children affected by cancer. The public's generosity on Daffodil Day allows us to support life-changing cancer research.”