Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society's largest annual fundraising campaign, was launched yesterday by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney.
The Irish Cancer Society is hoping to raise over €3 million in funds on the day, which will take place this year on Friday, March 11th.
"The number of new cases of cancer are increasing by 1.5 per cent annually, mainly due to the' growth in our population and increased life expectancy," said John McCormack, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society.
"But the good news is that because of the early detection and advances in treatment through research, many people with a diagnosis of cancer have an excellent chance of long-term survival," he said.
It is estimated that 21,500 people will develop cancer this year and about 8,000 will die of the disease.
Funds raised from Daffodil Day will go towards the Irish Cancer Society night nursing service, hospital-based cancer liaison nurses, cancer home care teams and the National Cancer Helpline (freefone 1800 200 700).
Last year, the society raised €3.1 million from its Daffodil Day. And since the first Daffodil Day in 1987, €25 million has been raised.
The society is calling on the public to support Daffodil Day by "buying a daff", donating daffodils, holding a daffodil coffee morning or acting as a volunteer selling daffodils.
Callsave 1850 60 60 60 for more details.
Mary Harney is pictured here with Kiah Ronaldson (7), one of the pupils from the John Scottus Junior School in Dublin 4, who performed an Indian flower Dance for the launch of the Irish Cancer Society's Daffodil Day 2005.
