Offaly man calls on community to go all in against cancer this Daffodil Day

OFFALY man and Irish Cancer Society Volunteer Driver, Brendan Hanamy, from Birr, is calling on his local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which takes place on Friday, March 20th.

A retired primary school principal who worked across the midlands in his teaching career, Brendan has been a volunteer driver for the past two years since retiring.

Brendan said: “There isn’t anybody in Ireland who hasn’t had somebody in their life impacted by cancer, whether they are a survivor themselves, know somebody who has come through it or have lost somebody. I first heard about the Irish Cancer Society’s volunteer driving on local radio and because I have had people close to me affected, I kept it in the back of my mind as something I’d come back to in retirement. Now, I’m a volunteer driver the last two years and I’ve competed nearly 40 drives.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to give a little bit of comfort to somebody undergoing life-saving treatment by picking them up and dropping them to their appointment. The Patient Travel Service is a lifeline to people who need a lift to treatment, and it is only possible because of the generous donations of the Irish public each and every Daffodil Day.”

“Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fuelling life-changing cancer research and vital support services. I would encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 20th, and show your support for those affected by cancer across Offaly and the midlands area.”

The Irish Cancer Society is there to ensure that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer.

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Thanks to the amazing generosity of the public the Irish Cancer Society invests in ground-breaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Offaly.

In 2025, your generous support provided:

Around 260 free lifts to bring Offaly-based cancer patients to their treatment

Over 250 free counselling sessions for people living in Offaly

Almost 200 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Offaly to die at home surrounded by loved ones

Our Cancer Nurses had over 175 conversations with people from Offaly on our Support Line and in our Daffodil Centres

Irish Cancer Society Acting CEO Edel Shovlin said: “Cancer doesn’t wait — and neither can we. This year, thousands of people in Ireland will hear the words, ‘You have cancer’. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, a future suddenly filled with uncertainty. But this Daffodil Day, there is also determination, compassion and groundbreaking research driving real progress.

“Daffodil Day 2026 is about turning solidarity into action. The funds raised don’t just support vital, life-changing cancer research — they provide immediate, practical help for people facing cancer right now. From free counselling and transport to treatment, to Night Nursing care that allows someone to spend precious time at home, your support makes an extraordinary difference.

“Communities across Offaly, and throughout Ireland will once again come together to paint the country yellow — standing shoulder to shoulder with patients and their families. But we need this to be our biggest Daffodil Day yet. When you donate or get involved, you’re not just giving money — you’re giving comfort, hope and time. Together, we can ensure that no one in Ireland faces cancer alone.”

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Where your donations go:

€30 can help provide transport for a patient to and from their chemotherapy treatment using the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service.

€50 can help provide vital clinical equipment for an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse.

€60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life.

€65 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end-of-life care to a patient in their own home.

€505 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end-of-life care to a patient in their own home.

For more information about Daffodil Day visit https://www.cancer.ie/daffodilday

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