The charity urgently needs to raise over €30 million in 2026 and is calling on Irish public to go all in against cancer this Daffodil Day
Robert Flanagan, his wife Caren, and his son Luke, at his confirmation
The Irish Cancer Society provided almost 30,000 free lifts for patients undergoing treatment last year, new figures have shown.
The society’s impact report, released today, revealed the impact of the charity’s services and supports to cancer patients and their families ahead of Daffodil Day this Friday.
Last year the Irish Cancer Society delivered 29,874 free lifts to and from cancer treatment, over 26,000 Support Line and Daffodil Centre conversations with people affected by cancer, over 14,300 free counselling sessions, as well as close to 6,000 free nights of Night Nursing for those at end of life.
Robert Flanagan was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in January 2024 aged 48. The father of three from Dublin, now living in Portlaoise, availed of the Irish Cancer Society‘s Patient Travel Service to get to and from his treatment in Tallaght Hospital.
Robert said: “When I received the news of my cancer diagnosis, everything became a blur. My thoughts immediately turned to my wife Caren and our three children. I went from being on medication for piles to being told I have Stage 4 colorectal cancer that has spread to my liver.
“When I was first diagnosed, our children were 13, 11 and 5. We wanted to try keep things as normal for them as we could. We’re a one car household and suddenly something as simple as the school run is clashing with me needing to get to my treatment in Tallaght.
Robert and his son Jack at a match
“That’s where the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service was a lifeline for us. Those free lifts to hospital meant among the chaos of my cancer diagnosis and treatment, that a little bit of normality could carry on at home.
“I’m forever grateful for those lifts and I’m asking people to give what they can this Daffodil Day, because the Transport Service that the Irish Cancer Society provides, is fuelled by your donations and generosity. They can’t be there for families like mine without your vital support.”
The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 20. Show your support by purchasing a Daffodil Day pin on the day, or donating at cancer.ie or via donations tab in the Revolut app. For more information on Daffodil Day, visit cancer.ie
Anyone with questions or concerns about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email supportline@irishcancer.ie
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