Longford woman urges support for cancer patient support services this Daffodil Day

A Drumlish woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer is urging the people of Longford to support cancer patients by getting involved with the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on Friday March 24.

At the age of 22, Sinéad Breslin was diagnosed with a very rare form of ovarian cancer. Sinéad’s treatment included surgery to remove the tumour, one ovary, one fallopian tube and appendix. She also received intensive chemotherapy and was in and out of hospital for months.

Sinéad’s oncologoist informed her that due to her treatment and surgery, her future fertility may be affected, however at that young age, starting a family was not on her radar. A few years later when Sinéad had fully recovered from her treatment, she began looking into her fertility further.

“I was referred to the Merrion Fertility Clinic in Dublin to get the ball rolling on preserving my eggs. I was very aware that the cost of fertility treatment is very expensive. I hadn't been in the workforce for very long, so the thoughts of having to spend thousands of euros on fertility treatment, at such a young age and at such short notice, was really overwhelming.

“The Merrion Fertility Clinic informed me that I may be eligible for funding through the Irish Cancer Society through their Childhood Cancer Fertility Project. Shortly thereafter, I got the good news that the Irish Cancer Society granted me the funding and I was over the moon with happiness. After such a turbulent period in my life, the generosity of funding from the Irish Cancer Society has lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders both financially and emotionally.

“I am delighted to be supporting the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day this year, the services and supports they provide are invaluable for so many people affected by cancer in Ireland.”

Longford folk urged to support Daffodil Day

On top of funding life-changing cancer research, the Irish Cancer Society provides vital services and supports to patients and their families across Longford each year, including 201 free counselling sessions, 116 nights of in-home Night Nursing for cancer patients in their final days, and 317 free lifts to get patients safely to and from their hospital chemotherapy 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.

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.

“At the Irish Cancer Society we want to support every single person in Ireland affected by cancer. But we cannot do this without your help. We typically receive 3% of our funding from the State. It’s only because of the generous support of the Irish public we are able to provide our free services and fund life-changing cancer research projects. We ask everyone to please get out there and help us turn Ireland daffodil yellow once again on March 24.”

For more information about Daffodil Day visit www.Cancer.ie/DaffodilDay .