Meath gears up for Daffodil Day

THIS year's Daffodil Day will take place on Friday, 7th March and the Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to support the day so that it can continue to grow its free patient care and specialist nursing services to people with cancer and their families all over Ireland.

The society is especially keen to hear from people living in Meath who are willing to act as volunteers selling daffodils in the community or workplace.

The society is launching its 2008 Daffodil Day campaign in the wake of startling predicted increases in the number of new cases of cancer. Some 25,465 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Ireland in 2005 and the National Cancer Registry estimates that this figure will rise to 41,743 cases by 2020, which represents a 62 per cent increase.

The existing incidence and predicted increase is largely associated with an ageing population as age is the biggest risk factor for cancer as well as a growing population.

The increases are also attributed to a general neglect of healthy lifestyle behaviours. Latest data shows that in 2005, some 695 people developed cancer in Meath.

Last year, the society raised E3.8 million from its Daffodil Day campaign and the monies were allocated to the services in 2007. The sum of E1.5 million was spent on the Irish Cancer Society's night nursing service.

The provision of this service means that patients can remain at home with the support of a night nurse when they are very ill. Of the 1,500 families who availed of this service in 2007, some 68 of these families were in Co Meath.

A sum of E1 million funded the employment of 27 hospital-based cancer liaison nurses who work in major cancer treatment hospitals across the country.

These nurses provide an important link between the patient and other healthcare professionals during the cancer journey, giving vital information and emotional support.

A sum of E775,000 was allocated to cancer home-care teams, who work in the community to provide specialist palliative care to patients with cancer in their own homes.

These nurses work with local family doctors and public health nurses bringing vital care and support. Out of this fund of E775,000, some E35,380 was allocated to home-care teams operating in the Meath area.

Daffodil Day monies are also used to fund the Cancer Information Services Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700). The Helpline received almost 12,000 calls last year and 157 of these calls were from callers in Co Meath.

A sum of E61,400 was allocated for bursaries which was granted to 85 nurses undertaking the higher diploma in oncology nursing in UCD, TCD and UCHG.

Some E40,000 was allocated to fund a play specialist for the children's cancer unit in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

Further information on becoming a volunteer is available from the Daffodil Day office on CallSave 1850 60 60 60.