Mayo woman and cancer survivor appeals for public's help with fundraising efforts

Ballina woman Mary Martin, cancer survivor and Daffodil Day fundraiser, is calling on her local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which takes place on Friday, March 28. 

Mary, aged 75, has been diagnosed with cancer three times, in 1983, 1991 and 2024. All three of her diagnoses were for breast cancer, however, her third diagnosis also included skin cancer.

The grandmother-of-five and great-grandmother-of-two has said she is doing well following her most recent diagnosis. Since her first diagnosis in the early 80s, Mary has been a dedicated Daffodil Day volunteer and is encouraging everyone in Ballina and surrounding areas like Killala, Belmullet and Ballycastle, to get involved.

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Mary said: “I’m feeling good now. I’m not 100% energy-wise, but I’m good and I’m looking forward to Daffodil Day. I’ve been involved with it locally since my first diagnosis in the 80s, I love it and really enjoy it.

“The Irish Cancer Society has so many support services that people can avail of, which is great. The Irish Cancer Society has so many different programmes that help so many people in different ways, like their Volunteer Driver service, the Support Line, Daffodil Centres, Night Nursing and free counselling for people affected by cancer.”

She added: “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 and donate on Daffodil Day, March 28, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community.”

The Irish Cancer Society aims 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.   

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

In 2024, the public's generous support provided 340 free lifts to bring Mayo-based cancer patients to their treatment and almost 320 free counselling sessions to people living in Mayo.

Fundraising efforts have also made it possible to provide over 300 nights of free night nursing care to allow cancer patients in Mayo to die at home surrounded by loved ones.