Flower power to help cancer patients
As Daffodil Day approaches, one young woman’s story of hope...
WHEN Kim Clack Whelan stepped into Reputations Hair Design in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, on Friday and got her scissors out, it was another big step forward for her.
Kim previously told Good Health about her breast cancer diagnosis which was a stressful time for her whole family. But now, as the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day approaches this Friday, March 22, Kim’s story is now one of hope.
‘I was given the all clear in September,’ she says. ‘I went back to work for the first time on Friday and it was an exciting day although I was very tired at the end of it.
‘Now I am on tamoxifen for the next ten years and I am in recovery mode.
‘I feel really good about the results and it is a matter of trying to get the life I had back. I am going back to work maybe one day a week to start off to build myself back up but I was very excited to get back in and just have that little bit of normality.’
Kim was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast and lymph node cancer (HER2+++) in November of 2021, a diagnosis that was compounded by the pandemic.
‘My then, my two-year-old daughter Lily was jumping on my bed and landed on my left breast with her elbow,’ Kim says, explaining that the pain made her gasp for breath. Kim still didn’t think anything of it until five days later, when she found a lump.
‘I went to see my GP the following day who referred me for a mammogram,’ she says. ‘Three weeks later I went in for my appointment on my own because of Covid restrictions. I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies done at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. I had a few mammograms done as they couldn’t get the area properly.’
KIM says it was at that point that she knew there was something the matter. ‘Everyone who came in after me had already left and I was still there. So, two weeks later on December 2, myself and my husband Jason went in to get the results of my biopsies. Even though I already knew what it was going to be it was still so surreal that it was happening to me. I am only 36 years of age.’
When she received her diagnosis all she could think of were her children who at that time were aged between two and 17.
Kim’s doctor went through all the stages of what would be happening to her – a gruelling treatment of six rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, then surgery, then ten more rounds of immunotherapy, followed by radiotherapy.
‘I started my first chemotherapy and immunotherapy on December 21, I was so sick after it that I ended up in hospital on New Year’s Day.’
Despite this, Kim endured her treatment, determined to fight even though a year ago she had to have a second operation to remove all of her lymph nodes. She also had to have a second lumpectomy.
Then she joined a chemotherapy trial on the advice of her oncologist.
‘My second round of treatment was a trial,’ she explains. ‘I had two options of going back to a normal chemotherapy drug or an option of the trial one which was longer.
‘But I just listened to the advice of my oncologist to do what was best for me. I ended up getting picked as a candidate for it and I went with her advice as she knows what she is doing.’
Kim has twins JJ and Lily who are now four and stepsons Nathan 18, Sam 16, Luke 14 and Max 11 so her home life is busy which she loves. And she is slowly working on getting her strength back.
‘I am doing a bit of training in Loughlinstown with the Xwell group,’ she says.
‘I don’t think I will ever be the way I was before I had cancer. I still go through a lot of pain in my arm with lymphoedema where I had the surgery. Every day is a bit of a battle but I am hopeful that I will get there.
I have a different outlook on life and try to live the best life I possibly can, be happy and spend time with my family and friends and try and enjoy quality time with people.’
During her treatment and still today Kim gets help and advice from the Irish Cancer Society.
New statistics from the charity show its drivers covered 2.3 million kilometres in 2023, bringing over 2,200 cancer patients to and from chemotherapy treatments. That amounts to a 30% increase last year in demand for the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service.
Demand for other vital services also grew. Interactions with the Society’s Support Line and Daffodil Centres have seen a 31% year-on-year increase.
The number of Night Nursing nights, which allow cancer patients to die at home surrounded by their loved ones, also rose in 2023.
Stomach cancer survivor,
Jacinta Farrelly from Co. Cavan, who used the Transport Service last year, says it was a lifeline during her diagnosis.
“The Irish Cancer Society Transport service and its incredible drivers were a lifeline and I’m forever grateful,’ she says.
‘It was one less thing to worry about when faced with cancer and gave me huge relief both practically and financially. Throughout my chemotherapy, they arranged for a driver to pick me up in the mornings, take me to each appointment and he would be there waiting to take me home whenever I was finished treatment.
‘If you can support Daffodil Day, please do. It’s because of your donations these vital free services exist for people like me and continue to be available for anyone who needs them.’
Ahead of the charity’s flagship fundraising day CEO Averil Power is calling on everyone to go all in against cancer to raise vital funds this Friday as 42,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Ireland.
‘The Irish Cancer Society aims to be there for every one of them,’ Ms Power says.
‘But the State provides just five per cent of our funding. To meet the increasing demand for our services we need to raise over €25 million this year. That’s why we need communities across Ireland to go all in this Daffodil Day. Only with your help can we ensure every child and adult affected by cancer gets the support they need.’
DAFFODIL Day takes place this Friday and collections will take place in towns and shopping centres across the country on Friday and Saturday. People can get involved or donate at cancer.ie.
Anyone with questions or concerns about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie
And Kim will be wearing her daffodil with pride as she will be working in the salon.
‘One of my mam’s best friends is going through treatment and she will be selling daffodils so I will get one from her. The Irish Cancer Society is there for people when they most need it.
‘I would urge people to come out and support them and raise much-needed funds.’