Daffodil Day cancelled for the second year running
Street sales and community events for Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society have been cancelled for the second year running, due to the Covid pandemic.
Hundreds of volunteers throughout County Wexford usually contribute to the flagship event by selling fresh daffodils and pins on the streets and organising special fundraising events.
But Daffodil Day 2020 was cancelled with just days to go when the first coronavirus lockdown happened last March and current Level 5 restrictions have again forced the cancellation of the 2021 event.
It’s a major blow to the Society which supports cancer patients and their families and relies on the event to raise a vital €4 million in funding nationally as it receives only 3% of its operating income from the State.
While the event won’t go ahead in the traditional way due to public health restrictions, the Society is appealing to the people of County Wexford to support a different Daffodil Day on March 26 by organising virtual fundraisers and collections, making donations or purchasing items from the online website at cancer.ie/ daffodil day.
‘Approximately 1,045 people in County Wexford receive a cancer diagnosis each year and this Daffodil Day is an important chance not only to raise vital funds for services and research but also to send people affected by cancer a message of support in these challenging times’, said Rosemary Simmons, fundraising lead at the Cancer Society.
‘ The people of Wexford have always been incredibly generous in their support of Daffodil Day, but this year more than ever, we need your help. ‘Although we cannot take to the streets to sell daffodils, or host coffee mornings with friends, there are still so many meaningful ways for communities to raise vital funds this year. ‘Because of the additional anxieties a cancer diagnosis during Covid-19 brings, cancer patients need your support more than ever before. Please get involved with Daffodil Day, to ensure nobody in Wexford has to go through cancer alone.’ ‘ Throughout the pandemic, the Irish Cancer Society has continued to provide vital services and support to cancer patients and their families across Wexford.’ Boots Ireland is sponsoring Daffodil Day for the fourth year and its 89 stories nationwide will be selling daffodil pins and hosting virtual events. For information on local events visit www. boots.ie. If you have concerns or questions about cancer, or want to find out about support services locally, contact the Irish Cancer Society support line on Freephone: 1800 200 700.