Irish Cancer Society expands cancer information and support services by establishing up to five more Daffodil Centres in cancer care hospitals across the country in 2010

Daffodil Day 2010 campaign launched with a target of €4 million for free nationwide patient care services 

The Irish Cancer Society will announce today (Wed, Feb. 10th, 2010) that it is significantly expanding its Cancer Information Service by setting up at least five Daffodil Centres in a range of hospitals nationwide, including designated cancer care centres, regional hospitals and private hospitals, in 2010.

This announcement will be made at the launch of the Society’s 23rd Daffodil Day campaign in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin 4 which will be attended by over 400 Daffodil Day volunteers.

Daffodil Centres are an extension of the Irish Cancer Society’s existing Cancer Information Service (which includes the National Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800 200 700) and will be located strategically within the hospital to make them visible and accessible. An experienced cancer nurse, funded by the Society, will run these Centres and will be supported by trained volunteers. The nurse and volunteers will address the information and support needs of those concerned about cancer, through listening, providing information and advice and accompanying people to appointments or treatments as necessary. The Irish Cancer Society’s first and pilot Daffodil Centre was opened in Galway University Hospital in July 2009.

Speaking in advance of the 2010 Daffodil Day campaign launch, John McCormack, CEO Irish Cancer Society said “Access to cancer information is crucial for cancer patients and their families in helping them cope with their diagnosis and how to live with their disease and their changing needs as they go through treatment. It is well documented that the biggest gap in the delivery of cancer information is at the point of diagnosis within the hospital and in providing a link to the support centres or groups in the community enabling a continuum of care as the patient progresses through the cancer journey.”

“An extensive network of cancer support centres offering counselling, facilitating support groups and complementary therapies, based on or near the grounds of some hospitals already exists. These services will be complemented by cancer information and so will not be duplicated in the Daffodil Centre model. The Daffodil Centre will also add value to the existing clinical services within the actual hospital and provide a health promotion or cancer prevention learning opportunity to those who are visiting the hospital or attending for screening services” added Mairead Lyons, Head of Services, Irish Cancer Society.

In January 2010, the Irish Cancer Society wrote to 31 hospitals across the country inviting them to submit Expressions of Interest in establishing a Daffodil Centre. The Daffodil Centres will need to be located strategically within the hospital, preferably in the main foyer and near the main entrance. The nominated hospitals will need to commit to refurbishing the space as necessary and will grant a licence to the Irish Cancer Society to run the Centre. The Society will be responsible for promoting the Centres and conducting regular audits and evaluations of the services provided.

The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) estimates that up to 30,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer during 2010 and new cases of cancer are expected to reach over 43,000 new cases in the year 2020. Cancer will affect one in three of us during the course of our lifetime. The biggest risk factor for developing cancer is increasing age followed by lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet and inactivity. Therefore early detection is crucial for a good outcome in most cases. Cancer is increasingly viewed as a condition from which people survive and very high cure rates cancer be achieved in many cancers.

Daffodil Day 2010, the Irish Cancer Society’s 23rd Daffodil Day, will take place on Friday 26th March across the country. The target is €4 million and all monies raised will be channelled in to the provision of free direct patient care services for people with cancer and their families, including the provision of the existing Cancer Information Service, the funding of 16 hospital based Oncology Liaison Nurses, the provision of a nationwide night nursing service and financial aid to cancer patients.

To volunteer on Daffodil Day 2010 (Friday 26th March) CallSave the Irish Cancer Society Fundraising Department on 1850 60 60 60 (open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm) or see www.cancer.ie/daffodilday.

Oscar-winning actress Brenda Blethyn with Emily and Jessica Bell at the launch of Daffodil Day 2010

About the Irish Cancer Society's services

In 2009, the Irish Cancer Society provided the following direct patient care services:

• Our specialist cancer nurse supported 19,331 callers to our National Cancer Helpline in 2009 which was an increase up from 16,500 calls in 2008.
• We provided nearly 7,000 nights of care to almost 1,700 families in 2009 which was an increase up from 5,700 nights in 2008. 
• We provided financial aid to 1,260 people (up from 1,031 people in 2008) to the value of over €700,000. 
• We provided over 1,600 sessions of counselling free of charge to over 700 families across the country in 2009.
• We funded 18 Oncology Liaison Nurses in hospitals across the country in 2009.
• We distributed 349,000 booklets and factsheets to people concerned about cancer across the country.

Date: 10 Feb 2010