'Your health is just so important': Cork woman urges community to go all in against cancer

A Cork woman has shared her experience of cancer as part of an effort to raise awareness of the disease in advance of this year’s Daffodil Day which takes place at the end of the month on Friday, March 28.

Megan Dalton Rafferty, who hails from Togher, is calling on her local community “to go all in against cancer” for Daffodil Day which is organised by the Irish Cancer Society.

Megan was diagnosed with leukaemia aged 27 in November 2021. She went through treatment but in December 2022, a lumber puncture found cancer cells present in her spinal fluid. Megan began immunotherapy and had a bone marrow transplant, which was successful.

Megan is now doing well and wants to encourage her community to support this year’s Daffodil Day.

“I know some people don’t like to share their cancer stories or let it become their whole world,” said Megan. “Many people just want to go back to normal, but I do think it’s helpful to raise awareness of your experience.

“It might encourage someone to get something checked out by their doctor. Your health is just so important.

“Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fueling life changing cancer research and vital support services.

“I would encourage everyone to please get out there and donate on Daffodil Day, March 28, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community.”

Funds raised by the Irish Cancer Society during last year’s Daffodil Day provided more than 3,100 free lifts to bring Cork based cancer patients for treatment, at least 2,190 free counselling services to people living in Cork and 460 nights of free night nursing care to allow cancer patients to die at home surrounded by loved ones.

The cancer nurses funded by the society’s Daffodil Day had almost 3,890 conversations with people from Cork on the support line and at their Daffodil Centres.

Irish Cancer Society chief executive Averil Power said that one in two of us will hear the words “you’ve got cancer” in our lifetimes.

“There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t felt the impact of a cancer diagnosis,” said Ms Power.

“Right now, a child is hearing the words ‘It’s cancer’. A parent is holding on to hope for a treatment that hasn’t been discovered yet. And a researcher has an idea that could turn that hope into reality.

“Your support on Daffodil Day fuels life changing cancer research and vital free services and supports.

“We really need this year’s Daffodil Day to be the biggest yet to ensure we can be there for those who need us most in 2025. And we cannot do this without you.”

The society has also issued information about where donations go — €30 can help provide transfer a patient to and from their chemo therapy treatment while €50 can support the provision of vital clinical treatment for an Irish Cancer Society night nurse.