Music legends Anne and Linda Nolan have opened up about their experience of cancer during Covid-19 as they urge people to get involved with this year’s Daffodil Day on March 26.
The sisters were diagnosed just days apart in the early part of the pandemic and have shared how their experience of cancer has been made all the more difficult due to the impact of Covid-19. Linda’s incurable cancer is in her liver and Anne has recently received the all clear for a stage three breast cancer diagnosis but remains on treatment.
Anne said, “Linda and I both had cancer before, when there was no pandemic and I know the difference between the two. The first time I had cancer, my family was there and the same for Linda. This time, you were more or less on your own and it was more traumatic.”
Linda recalls how, unlike the first time Anne was diagnosed with cancer when the sisters could get together to laugh, cry, hug and “let her know we were there”, the pandemic meant that after Anne’s latest diagnosis “we had to stand at the garden wall and wave.”
For Anne, Covid-19 also brought increased anxiety which left her afraid to even go for a walk due to the fact that her treatment meant she was at a high risk if she contracted the virus. This is why the sisters, originally from Dublin’s northside, are proudly supporting this Daffodil Day – which is the most important in the history of the Irish Cancer Society – to ensure that vital supports for people on the same journey can continue to be there.
“We’re proud to be ambassadors for Daffodil Day. Charities through this pandemic have been hit so hard. People think it will be fine and it will pick up next year, but Daffodil Day raises millions of euro and we want to remind people that the Irish Cancer Society services are still here and we still need your generosity,” Linda said.
Linda and Anne have also written a book on their experience called ‘Stronger Together’, published by Ebury Press, which will be released on April 15.
Daffodil Day, proudly supported by Boots Ireland, takes place on Friday March 26. Due to the current public health restrictions, street collections and community events will not be possible for a second year running. However, there are still a number of ways people can get involved this year, including: hosting virtual fundraisers and collections, purchasing items from the Daffodil Day online shop, or making a donation at cancer.ie.
Conor King, Acting CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said;
“The past 12 months have been incredibly difficult for anyone who has been affected by cancer. Throughout the pandemic, the Society has continued to provide our vital services to cancer patients across Ireland. We are now facing into our second Daffodil Day without our traditional Daffodil street collection and local events. We’re asking people to show their support for cancer patients throughout the month of March and particularly on March 26th. Please encourage people you know to donate or fundraise, take part in our steps challenge, or purchase something from our online shop. Give what you can this Daffodil day, to ensure cancer patients have support, every step of the way”.
This year marks Boots Ireland’s 4th year of sponsoring Daffodil Day which is an extension of a well-established partnership with the Irish Cancer Society that began back in 2012. Through the partnership, Boots Ireland is committed to increasing awareness, helping support people affected by cancer and promoting cancer prevention.
Stephen Watkins, Managing Director at Boots Ireland said;“Colleagues across our 89 stores nationwide are ready to join local communities again this Daffodil Day. Not a week goes by where our staff don’t come face to face with the impact that cancer has on our customers and patients in the local communities we serve. We are there to extend care and advice instore through our Boots Irish Cancer Society Information Pharmacists and Cancer Beauty Advisors, and in sponsoring Daffodil Day for the fourth year, we continue to play our part in ensuring cancer patients and their families are fully supported.”
Boots’ 89 stores located nationwide, will be raising vital funds by selling Daffodil pins in store and hosting virtual fundraisers across the country. To find your nearest store or to learn more about the support of Daffodil Day, visit www.boots.ie.
If you have concerns or questions about cancer, or to learn more about support services available in your area, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone:1800 200 700
For more information visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday
