Irish Cancer Society and Dell waterproof Daffodil Day 2014!

The Irish Cancer Society launch this year’s Daffodil Day and appeal to the public to join them in raising much needed funds Today marks the 27th launch of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which is supported by Dell. The Society unveiled its bold new belief statement – We won’t give up until cancer does at this year’s launch event. The Society, with its partner Dell, outlined that Daffodil Day is the day that allows people across Ireland to stand together in their thousands and show that they won’t give up until cancer does and that, rain or shine, 2014 will be no different. Last year the Dell supported Daffodil Day, traditionally the Society’s biggest fundraiser, was hit badly by severe rain impacting the charity’s income for Daffodil Day.  Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, Mark Mellett, Head of Fundraising, Irish Cancer Society said, “Daffodil Day certainly made a splash last year – unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. While our volunteers and collectors braved the elements, the severe conditions kept many donors indoors. This year we hope for sunnier skies but as there are no guarantees we have done our best to waterproof our plans - with new indoor collection locations, a national bag pack in Tescos, coffee mornings and an online app created by Dell as well as lots of other indoor activities to stand alongside the outdoor collections we are ensuring that there are lots of ways that people can donate.” Funds raised on Daffodil Day by thousands of volunteers across Ireland go directly to fund the work of the Society across research, services and advocacy. Night Nursing is one service funded by Daffodil Day. It is a national service available to people with cancer who are seriously ill at home. The aim of the service is to provide extra support for the person who is ill and wishes to remain at home being cared for by their family. The Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses are provided free of charge for up to 10 nights.  Without support from the public for Daffodil Day the Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses could not have supported over 1,868 patients and their families coping with the advanced stages of cancer last year. Without street sellers and daffodil day organisers our nurses could not have delivering 7,770 nights of care last year. The Society fulfilled 94% of requests for night nursing were last year and with help from the public next year the Society hope to fulfil 100% of requests.  It’s vital that Daffodil Day reaches its ambitious fundraising target of €3.45million in order to continue to provide and expand this service and others. The Society and Dell, lead partner for Daffodil Day, are calling on the public to help support the campaign on Friday 22nd March and ask people to volunteer, organise or donate on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday. Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, CEO, Irish Cancer Society said, “We won’t give up until cancer does and we need the public to stand beside us in this audacious statement of intent. Together we can beat cancer and Daffodil Day is just one way the public can join us in trying to make this vision a reality. So we ask people to join us again this year and to volunteer to help out on  Daffodil Day – do what you can to make a difference.” Mr. McCormack continued, “I would like to thank our volunteers who are vital to making Daffodil Day a success in their communities. For the last 27 years they have been the lifeblood of our organisation and their continued support keeps our services going. We are also very grateful to our partner, Dell. The Dell team has helped us deliver Daffodil Day for the last four years and the support that it brings is invaluable. We look forward to working with them again this year.”  Also speaking at the launch, Liam Halpin, General Ireland Manager, Dell Ireland said: “Dell employs 2,500 people in Ireland and we have campuses in Cherrywood in Dublin, in Limerick and in Cork. Each and every one of these employees have joined the Daffodil Day volunteering army in one way or another and it’s been great to see the momentum across the three campuses grow over the years. We’re looking forward to this year’s Daffodil Day and would encourage everyone to support this great day and cause in whatever way they can.” The Irish Cancer Society’s 27th Daffodil Day, supported by Dell, will take place across the country on Friday 28th March, we appeal to everyone to get involved. Here is how you can support Daffodil Day 2014:

• Volunteer on Daffodil Day 
• Organise a Daffodil Day event in your community or workplace
• Buy a daffodil or Daffodil Day merchandise on Daffodil Day or in our online shop
• Download the ‘Daff Day’ smartphone app from any mobile phone app stores

For more information on how you can get involved, Callsave 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday