A Killarney woman who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia is urging the people of Kerry to support cancer patients by getting involved with the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on Friday, March 24.

Naomi Brosnan was only 17-years-old when she received her cancer diagnosis - called Burkitt's lymphoma - eight years ago. Naomi’s cancer was so severe she had to begin chemotherapy straight away, leaving no time to begin fertility preservation treatment. This concerned Naomi as she knew that the intensive chemotherapy treatment could affect her future family.

Once Naomi finished her treatment she underwent testing and was relieved to discover there was still a prospect of successful fertility treatment, but potentially at a significant cost to her. Naomi and her family continued to make enquiries to see if this hurdle could be overcome, at which point she heard about the Childhood Cancer Fertility Project funded by the Irish Cancer Society.

Operated by the Merrion Fertility Clinic, the project aims to preserve fertility both for childhood and adolescent cancer patients about to undergo treatment, as well as for some female survivors under the age of 27 who were unable to access such services before their own treatment.

“There's nothing I want to do more in life than have my own kids and be a mom, so that's why it's always been such a big thing for me. At 17 you wouldn't normally be thinking about kids, but I knew that chemotherapy can cause fertility issues in the future," Naomi explained.

"I was bawling crying when I found out I was eligible to take part in this. There are actually no words to explain how grateful I am for this project.

“Thanks to this Childhood Cancer Fertility Project my egg freezing treatment was free of charge, so I cannot thank the Irish Cancer Society enough. I would encourage everyone to please get out there and support Daffodil Day on March 24. ”

On top of funding life-changing cancer research, the Irish Cancer Society provides vital services and supports to patients and their families across Kerry each year, including 930 free counselling sessions, 354 nights of in-home Night Nursing for cancer patients in their final days, and 500 free lifts to get patients safely to and from their hospital chemotherapy appointments in 2022.

SOLIDARITY

The Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to take part in any way they can to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer, and says that this year’s Daffodil Day is their most important yet.

“Every three minutes, someone in Ireland, hears the words "you have cancer"," Irish Cancer Society CEO, Averil Power, said.

"Cancer takes from us every day. It takes big days, little days, and everything in-between. It replaces them with treatment days and recovery days. But together, we have the power to take these days back from cancer. The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day is a day to give hope and raise vital funds so that one day, cancer can take no more.

“Daffodil Day is our most important fundraising event of the year with donations funding crucial supports including our Support Line, free counselling, our Night Nurses service, and financial support for families of children affected by cancer. The public’s generosity on Daffodil Day allows us to support life-changing cancer research.

“At the Irish Cancer Society we want to support every single person in Ireland affected by cancer. But we cannot do this without your help. We typically receive 3% of our funding from the State. It’s only because of the generous support of the Irish public we are able to provide our free services and fund life-changing cancer research projects. We ask everyone to please get out there and help us turn Ireland daffodil yellow once again on March 24.”

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