Galwaywoman and bowel and breast cancer survivor, Paula Carroll from Oranmore, 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 20.
Paula, who is originally from Dublin but has lived in Galway for over 30 years, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2018, after she noticed some bleeding when she used the toilet, and the following August she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her second diagnosis came about after doctors noticed an area of concern in her breast during her scans just before her surgery to remove the tumour in her bowel. After her surgery, she was sent for a mammogram.
Paula said: “It was a five-hour surgery. Afterwards, when I was recovering, a nurse came in and said she’d like to bring me down for a mammogram. I asked why, because I’d already had one in the January just gone and it had come back clear. The nurse just told me I might as well get it done again while I was there.
“So, I went for the mammogram. Three or four days later, it was revealed that I had breast cancer. I thought it was a joke. But I did have a family history of breast cancer, my sister had previously been diagnosed with it and some of my cousins have had it too.
“I asked if it was operable and removable. They said yes, which immediately meant I didn’t have to worry. It was out of my hands and completely out of my control, so it was like I could hand over that worry of removing the tumour to the medics. All I could do was trust their ability and their judgement.”
Paula’s treatment included surgery and chemotherapy for bowel cancer, and a lumpectomy and radiotherapy for breast cancer. Her treatment was a success, and she is now cancer free.
Encouraging people across Galway to get involved this Daffodil Day, Paula said: “Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fueling life-changing cancer research and vital support services. I would encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 20th, 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 public the Irish Cancer Society invests in ground-breaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Galway.
In 2025, your generous support provided:
Over 620 free lifts to bring?Galway-based cancer patients to their treatment
Over 390 free counselling sessions for people living in Galway
Over 380 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Galway to die at home surrounded by loved ones
Cancer Nurses had 1,400 conversations with people from Galway on the Support Line and in Daffodil Centres
Irish Cancer Society CEO Nikki Gallagher said: “Cancer doesn’t wait — and neither can we. This year, thousands of people in Ireland will hear the words, ‘You have cancer’. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, a future suddenly filled with uncertainty. But this Daffodil Day, there is also determination, compassion and groundbreaking research driving real progress.
“Daffodil Day 2026 is about turning solidarity into action. The funds raised don’t just support vital, life-changing cancer research — they provide immediate, practical help for people facing cancer right now. From free counselling and transport to treatment, to Night Nursing care that allows someone to spend precious time at home, your support makes an extraordinary difference.
“Communities across Galway and throughout Ireland will once again come together to paint the country yellow — standing shoulder to shoulder with patients and their families. But we need this to be our biggest Daffodil Day yet. When you donate or get involved, you’re not just giving money — you’re giving comfort, hope and time. Together, we can ensure that no one in Ireland faces cancer alone.”
Where your 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.
€60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life.
€65 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.
€505 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end-of-lifecare to a patient in their own home.
For more information about Daffodil Day visit https://www.cancer.ie/daffodilday
