Laois woman fighting cancer urges local people to back Daffodil Day

Laois woman and lung cancer patient Samantha Vaughan from Borris-in-Ossory is calling on her local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which takes place on Friday, 22 March.

In September 2023, 48-year-old Samantha Vaughan was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of non-small cell lung cancer.

Samantha spoke about her illness and why help she has received in Laois at a Portlaoise service motivated her to back Daffodil Day.

“I am a busy mum, I always like to be out and about and busy, I find no longer being able to do that, very difficult. My recovery will take months not weeks.

“I decided to reach out my local cancer support centre, the Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise, which receives funding from the Irish Cancer Society. I have found the support services available, really helpful. At first, I thought I wouldn’t need these services, but I have actually found them invaluable. Especially meeting other people who are going through the same as myself and understand.

“I would say to others, always follow your instincts. My gut was telling me that something wasn’t right in my body. Sometimes you have to push for further testing, you know your own body best.

“I would really encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 22nd, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community,” she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Launching Daffodil Day 2024 were l-r: Brendan Courtney, Christine Ryan, Sorcha Hartnett, Claire Hartnett, Elaine Delaney, Isabella O’Sullivan and Mary Donoher from Mountmellick with Averil Power.

The Irish Cancer Society says it exists to ensure 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 amazing generosity of the Irish public the Society says it invests in cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Laois.

• The Society says it was able to give the following support in Laois last year thanks to donations received:
• Over 340 free lifts to bring Laois based cancer patients to their treatment
• Over 410 free counselling sessions to people living in Laois;

Almost 230 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: “Unfortunately, 1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t been touched by the disease. When Daffodil Day first began in 1986, just 3/10 Irish people survived a cancer diagnosis. Today, thanks to investment in innovative cancer research, that has doubled to 6/10 people in Ireland surviving cancer. And we at the Irish Cancer Society won’t stop until 10/10 people survive a cancer diagnosis. But we cannot do that without your support on Daffodil Day.

“The more we raise on Daffodil Day, the more we can do, and the more lifesaving research we can fund. We only receive 5% of our income from the government, so we’re urging everyone in Laois to Go All In this Daffodil Day 22nd March to help us achieve a future where nobody dies from cancer in Ireland, and everyone affected by the disease has the support they need when they need it most.”

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

For more information or to speak an Irish Cancer Society representative, please contact communications@irishcancer.ie | 087 645 3867.

Anyone with concerns or questions about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 and supportLine@IrishCancer.ie MORE ON HOW TO SUPPORT DAFFODIL DAY BELOW PICTURE.

Launching Daffodil Day were l-r: Brendan Courtney, Bernie Phelan, Liam Phelan, Anne O’Keefe and Teresa Mortimer from Mountrath, Laois and Averil Power, Irish Cancer Society CEO.

Ways to support Daffodil Day

• Donate at www.Cancer.ie/Donate or over the phone on 0818 10 20 30
• Sell Daffodil pins in your local community
• Donate through Facebook, Instagram or JustGiving
• Register for our steps challenge at: www.cancer.ie/ways-to-help/fundraise/daffodilday/get-involved-this-daffodil-day/take-part-in-our-steps-challenge-this-march
• Purchase Daffodil Day items on our online shop
• Revolut users can donate to the Irish Cancer Society through the ‘Donations Tab’ on the Revolut app
• By texting DAFF (€4) to 50300
• By getting your primary school, secondary school or company involved: www.cancer.ie