Retired member of An Garda Síochána and prostate cancer survivor, Tommie Kenoy from Kilmore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon 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, 28th March.
Since turning 50, Tommie Kenoy always got an annual PSA check up and in 2019, his PSA levels were raised. He was sent for a biopsy which found there were abnormal cancerous cells.
Upon his diagnosis, Tommy called the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line. “When I received my diagnosis, I was given two options: surgery to remove my gland or brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy). I called the Irish Cancer Society because there were things I wanted to ask, for example about opting for surgery or brachytherapy, and what the dangers around incontinence might be. I found the support very helpful, and it was very solid friendly advice.”
Tommy, now in his 70s, also wants to highlight the importance of early detection. “I think men in particular need to be more proactive about their health. My cancer was detected very early and I went in for that one procedure and that’s all I needed, thankfully. The quicker we act, the better chance of a cure.”
He’s calling on his Roscommon community to get behind Daffodil Day this year: “Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference to patients like me, fuelling life changing cancer research and vital support services. When I needed that extra reassurance and support, the Irish Cancer Society was at the end of the phone for me. I would encourage everyone across Roscommon and the north-west to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 28th, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community.”
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.
Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Irish public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in groundbreaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Roscommon. In 2024, your generous support provided:
- Almost 340 free lifts to bring Roscommon-based cancer patients to their treatment
- Over 260 free counselling sessions to people living in Roscommon
- Almost 210 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Roscommon to die at home surrounded by loved ones
- Our Cancer Nurses had 180 conversations with people living in Roscommon on our Support Line and in our Daffodil Centres.
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “One in two of us will hear the words ‘You’ve got cancer’ in our lifetimes. There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t felt the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Right now, a child is hearing the words ‘It’s cancer’. A parent is holding on to hope for a treatment that hasn’t been discovered yet. And a researcher has an idea that could turn that hope into reality. Your support on Daffodil Day fuels life changing cancer research and vital free services and supports. We really need this year’s Daffodil Day to be the biggest yet to ensure we can be there for those who need us most in 2025. And we cannot do this without you.
“Your generosity on March 28th means patients and their families will have free supports like Counselling, Transport to treatment and Night Nursing services. Every year, communities across Roscommon show up and paint the town yellow in support of cancer patients and their families. We’re urging you to stand with cancer patients once again, by going all in against cancer and getting involved or donating this Daffodil Day 28 March. Your generous support means everyone affected by cancer in Roscommon will have access to the support they need, when they need it most.”
Where the 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.
- €55 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.
- €60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life.
- €455 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.
