Today is Daffodil Day in Ireland! Unfortunately, The Irish Cancer Society has taken the decision to cancel all street collections and events. That was scheduled for Friday, 27 March 2020 as a result of the coronavirus.
What is Daffodil Day?
So, it is the Irish Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser, taking place each year in March. And raising millions of euros to support cancer patients and their loved ones. By providing free advice and support, as well as by funding life-saving cancer research.
On that Day, thousands of volunteers take to the streets selling flowers and daffodil pins. To collect funds for the fight against cancer. Many others organize coffee mornings and other fundraising events in their homes, local communities, and workplaces.
So, it is a day for us all to give hope to people affected by cancer. Funds raised during our Daffodil Day campaign are used across the country to help the 40,000 people. Who will hear the words “you have cancer” each year. ` – source: www.cancer.ie
Why Daffodil?
Daffodils as one of the first spring flowers fight frost, snow, and wind. Already in ancient times, the daffodils were a symbol of hope for a new life – rebirth. So, probably because today it has become a symbol of hope in the fight against cancer. In the Christian tradition, the daffodils are a symbol of the triumph of dedication over selfishness. Then love over death, and at the same time fragility and elusiveness of life.
History of Daffodil Day
It originated in Canada six decades ago. The Canadian Cancer Society began using daffodils in the 1950s. The Irish Cancer Society was founded by Professor Austin Darragh, officially coming into existence in 1963. The first Irish Daffodil Day was organized by Professor Darragh and Society CEO Tom Hudson in 1988. The day quickly became an annual March tradition. In 2001, the daffodil was adopted as our main logo.
Daffodil Day in County Carlow
The initiator of the action in County Carlow, from 2011, is the Cancer Support Center Carlow. Which works in cooperation with the Irish Cancer Society.
Every year on Daffodil Day in Carlow town you can meet volunteers selling daffodils flowers and daffodils gadgets. They are always next to the Carlow Post office, in front of Haddens Shopping Centre on Tullow Street. Then also in the Carlow Shopping Centre, and in Fairgreen Shopping Centre.
Below are some of my photos from Daffodil Day in Carlow town from 2016 – 2019.
