A host of golden daffodils – all for a very good cause

NOTHING marks a special moment quite like flowers and the time for giving is on March 24. This is the 30th anniversary of Daffodil Day and volunteers will be out in force again to raise vital funds to help those affected by cancer.

The Killarney Daffodil Day Committee hosted the Kerry launch at the Killarney Towers Hotel on Friday and were joined by committee members from Dingle, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Tralee, Kenmare, Castleisland, Castlemaine, Glenbeigh, Sneem, Ballyheighue, Castlegreogy, Listowel and Killorglin.

Mark Mellett, Head of Fundraising with the Irish Cancer Society, urged members of the public to show their support for cancer patients and their families on Daffodil Day, as did Chairman of the Killarney Daffodil Day Committee Eugene O’Sullivan.

“Since 1988, €66m has been raised on Daffodil Day to support thousands of people affected by cancer. People in Kerry have been instrumental in raising funds and we thank you for your staunch support to date,” said Eugene.

Funds also go towards Night Nursing which provides palliative care to cancer patients 365 days of the year. This allows people at the end of their cancer journey to remain at home with loved ones. Last year 77 Kerry patients received 369 nights of care through this service.

“When I go into a patient’s home I try to bring a sense of calmness, sensitivity, kindness and understanding with caring and comfort for the patients and their loved ones. The relief and reassurance expressed by families in the knowledge that their loved one is comfortable is evidence of the invaluable service of Night Nursing,” said Nurse, Nancy Dineen.

ABOVE: Mary O’Connor and Nora Queally, Listowel with Eileen Kearney RIGHT: Pauline Fleming, Killarney and Peggy Fitzgibbon of Kenmare Eugene O’Sullivan ICS Kerry with Sr Gemma and Sr Maura, Killarney.

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin Clare, Gemma and Darren Healy with Maureen Fogarty Killarney launching Kerry’s 30th Daffodil Day with a coffee morning in the Killarney Avenue on Friday.

Night Nurses Bridget O’Shea, Killorglin and Nancy Dineen, Killarney.

Carmel Gibson and Kathy O’Connor of Dingle