The Irish Cancer Society has expressed concern at the potential impact of the economic downturn on its fundraising efforts.
It said the annual Daffodil Day fundraising campaign is essential for it to continue to meet the need for free nationwide patient-care services and it called for volunteers for this year’s events.
“Clearly we are concerned at the potential impact of the economic downturn on our fundraising efforts and that is why we are putting out a call for more volunteers to support our major fundraising day which has a target of €4.25 million, this year,” said the organisation’s chief executive John McCormack.
Services provided by the cancer society include home-based night nursing services for patients in the end-stages of their cancer.
Launching the Daffodil Day campaign today, Mr McCormack said it provided over 5,700 nights of care to 1,600 families last year.
This was a 10 per cent increase on the numbers of nights and people cared for in 2007.
“Our patient care services also include hospital based cancer liaison nurses and the funding of cancer homecare teams, who work in the community to provide specialist palliative care to patients with cancer during the day in their own homes,” Mr McCormack said.
“It is estimated that over 25,000 people will develop cancer in Ireland this year and one in three of us will develop it during our lifetime so we are not surprised that we are experiencing a growing demand for clear information and advice supplied by our cancer nurses.”
“Now more than ever the services we provide are needed. The money we raise on Daffodil Day goes to meet the needs of cancer patients and their families as well as meeting a growing need for information on cancer and support at every stage of the cancer journey.”
The society also provides the flagship Cancer Information Service, including the national cancer helpline on the toll-free number 1800 200700.
In 2008, the cancer information service dealt with about 16,500 inquiries.
Daffodil Day takes place this year on March 20th.