Today is Daffodil Day! Here’s an overview of what’s happening around the country to raise vital funds for people affected by cancer

Today (Friday, 24 March) is the Irish Cancer Society’s 30th Daffodil Day. Throughout the day more than 2,000 volunteers the length and breadth of the country will be selling daffodils, while hundreds more are organising events like coffee mornings and cake sales in communities across Ireland to raise vital funds to support people affected by cancer.

Over the course of Daffodil Day 150 people will receive a cancer diagnosis in Ireland, and over 40,000 people will hear the words ‘you have cancer’ by the end of 2017.

The Society needs to raise over €3 million on Daffodil Day to continue to fund lifesaving research and to provide vital information, care and support services to help those facing cancer and their families.

Head of Fundraising with the Irish Cancer Society Mark Mellett said, “All across Ireland, in every town and village, there are cancer patients and cancer survivors in need of support, whether they are dealing with a diagnosis, going through treatment, recovering and in remission or dealing with a palliative situation. Daffodil Day is the day when everybody in Ireland comes together to show people with cancer and their families that we care, and that we want to stop cancer.

“Everybody plays their part, from the volunteer collecting on the street, to the person buying a daffodil or holding an event, the nurse helping cancer patients and the researcher working hard in a lab. Together on Daffodil Day we are all working to help care for cancer patients, increase the number of cancer survivors and to save more lives. It’s a day when Ireland takes another step towards a future without cancer. Together, we won’t give up until cancer does!”

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the colourful and unusual things happening for Daffodil Day 2017:

Daffodil Day events in Dublin

• [[{"fid":"3463","view_mode":"preview","fields":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Garden of Hope","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Garden of Hope","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Garden of Hope","height":"180","width":"180","style":"width: 180px; height: 180px; float: right; margin: 2px;","class":"media-element file-preview","data-delta":"1"}}]]Garden of Hope, Iveagh Gardens: Thousands of daffodils with messages of hope and remembrance will form a garden from 8am in the Iveagh Gardens off Harcourt Street. The public are invited to come to along on Daffodil Day and plant their message, and enjoy the garden.
   
• ‘Daff Man’ dons his daffodil suit: Irish Cancer Society volunteer James Gilleran, better known as Daff Man, will be dressed up in his special daffodil suit on O’Connell Street as he collects funds on Daffodil Day. James is a longstanding Daffodil Day supporter having been closely affected by cancer in his personal life.
   
• [[{"fid":"6923","view_mode":"preview","fields":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stormtroopers on Grafton St in Dublin","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Stormtroopers on Grafton St in Dublin","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Stormtroopers on Grafton St in Dublin","height":"180","width":"180","style":"width: 180px; height: 180px; float: right; margin: 2px;","class":"media-element file-preview","data-delta":"1"}}]]Stormtrooper invasion: Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion will be leaving the dark side behind and selling Daffodils on Grafton Street for Daffodil Day from 10am. Watch out for Spiderman too!
   
• Daffodils on the airwaves: FM104 are broadcasting live from Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre for the day to encourage members of the public to show their support for Daffodil Day.
   
• Flower Power: Independent News and Media are embracing flower power and incorporating the Society’s signature Daffodil in the Irish Independent and Independent.ie masthead as part of their support for the 30th Daffodil Day.
   
• Light it up: The Convention Centre is lighting up yellow in a show of support for Daffodil Day.
   
• Tap and go: Giving goes contactless for Daffodil Day and donors will be able to make contactless payments via their card or mobile wallet (phone). The devices will be available to use at St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and Frascati Shopping Centre, in Blackrock, in Dublin, as well as Merchant’s Quay Shopping Centre in Cork and Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre in Limerick.
   
• Yellow Vikings: The Viking Splash boat will be decked out in fresh daffodils and balloons outside the Gaiety Theatre from 10.30am to 5pm as part of the Daffodil Day celebrations.
   
• No pain no gain: Staff at Aviva offices in One Park Place are holding a sponsored male leg wax as part of their Daffodil Day activities.

Daffodil Day events across the country

• In Newcastle West, Limerick, the Red Door Art Gallery is hosting their annual coffee morning between 9am and 4pm with tea/coffee and refreshments and fantastic art available for all to enjoy. The Kemmy Business School in the University of Limerick is also hosting a special coffee morning to mark Daffodil Day again this year.
   
• [[{"fid":"6924","view_mode":"preview","fields":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Daffodil Day in Cork","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Daffodil Day in Cork","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Daffodil Day in Cork","height":"180","width":"180","style":"width: 180px; height: 180px; float: right; margin: 2px;","class":"media-element file-preview","data-delta":"1"}}]]A vintage fire truck will be outside Brown Thomas in Cork city, as members of the fire brigade play their part in supporting Daffodil Day. Stop by and purchase a daff to raise vital money for cancer patients.
   
• Daffodils on the airwaves with 96FM: The station will be broadcasting live outside Eason’s on Patrick Street, Cork from 12 to 4pm and encouraging members of the public to get into the Daffodil Day spirit.
   
• A collection is taking place on Sherkin Island for the first time this year – one of the most southerly islands off the coast.
   
• Drogheda is going turning yellow for Daffodil Day. For the fifth year in a row business throughout the town will be adopting the shade of the daffodil as the whole community rallies in a bright show of support for people affected by cancer.
   
• In Sligo the McGauran and McDonald families will be hosting their evening tea party in Coffee at Le Cachot in memory of their mothers Josie and Marian. A fantastic raffle will be held on the day too, with great prizes up for grabs.
   
• [[{"fid":"6925","view_mode":"preview","fields":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Daffodil Day coffee morning at Maxol Mace Insomnia in Castlebar","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Daffodil Day coffee morning at Maxol Mace Insomnia in Castlebar","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Daffodil Day coffee morning at Maxol Mace Insomnia in Castlebar","height":"180","width":"180","style":"width: 180px; height: 180px; float: right; margin: 2px;","class":"media-element file-preview","data-delta":"1"}}]]Maxol Mace on Station Road, Castlebar in Mayo are hosting a coffee morning for Daffodil Day in their Insomnia café from 9am until 12 noon. The generous staff at Insomnia and Maxol Mace are offering FREE fresh Insomnia Coffee for three hours and asking people to come along, make a donation, enjoy the atmosphere, coffee and chats. CRC FM will broadcast live from the coffee morning and speak to Irish Cancer Society volunteers, a Night Nurse and cancer survivors.
   
• Clare locals Dan Connolly, Joe Murphy and Alfie Howard will shave their heads bald at the square in Ennis on Daffodil Day https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/the-boys-go-bald-for-the-irish-cancer-…
   
• Aldi is selling bumper bouquets of Irish-grown daffodils across stores throughout the country with €1 from every purchase going directly to the Irish Cancer Society.

How to support Daffodil Day

1. Buy a daffodil or Daffodil Day merchandise from a volunteer in your community.
    
2. Make a donation by phone, CallSave 1850 60 60 60.
    
3. Make a secure donation online.
    
4. Text Daff to 50300 to donate €4 now!*
   *(The Irish Cancer Society will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278)
    
5. Share your pic on social media and don’t forget to use our hashtag #DaffodilDay.