RTÉ’s Claire Byrne met a mother diagnosed with cancer during lockdown to launch Daffodil Day today.
Mum-of-two and cancer survivor Donna-Marie Cullen joined the RTE star to celebrate the return of the special day.
This is the first time in three years that fundraising can return to normal on the streets of Ireland.
Claire said: “I am proud to support Daffodil Day 2022. Cancer affects every family in Ireland in some way, and we know that this year alone, almost 45,000 people will hear the words ‘you have cancer’.
“Daffodil Day has such an important place in the calendar each year and I’m delighted that it will be back on our streets on March 25.
“I look forward to once again seeing communities come together united with a single purpose, to raise funds and take back from cancer.”
Lucan mum Donna-Marie experienced an ‘horrific’ time in lockdown due to the amount of time she spent in hospital away from her family with no visitors due to restrictions.
In September of 2020, the 36-year-old was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer called Ewing Sarcoma.
Brave Donna-Marie began her treatment immediately, which included extensive chemotherapy, surgery and 30 sessions of radiotherapy.
Following extensive chemotherapy Donna-Marie finished up her surgery and treatment in summer 2021 and she still has some reconstructive surgeries ahead of her.
She said: “From day one, the Irish Cancer Society has been there with me and they’ve been with my family.
“They provided relevant information, they were sincere, empathetic and they just understood. All of my family engaged in the counselling services, including my 12-year-old son Seán.
“The Irish Cancer Society was there for me throughout my treatment, because I was alone for one week out of three in the hospital.
“I’m forever grateful for what they’ve done for me. They’ve helped me and so many families in this country, and it’s because of people who have donated to the Irish Cancer Society, especially on Daffodil Day.”
People are being asked to take part and take back from cancer in any way they can this Daffodil Day.
For more information about Daffodil Day visit www.cancer.ie/DaffodilDay.
