Almost 1,500 people were diagnosed with cancer in Galway in 2010 - the latest year for which figures are available - according to the Irish Cancer Society.
The most common cancer here was non-melanoma skin cancer (476 cases ) followed by prostate cancer (198 ) and breast cancer (111 ). Lung cancer accounted for 94 cases while bowel cancer accounted for 89. There were 47 cases of melanoma skin cancer recorded in Galway.
The figures were released by the society following the launch of Daffodil Day which will take place on Friday March 22. The event, which is being sponsored by Dell, is the society’s biggest fundraiser. It is appealing for public support to raise €3.4m to fund vital cancer information services
The national launch was told that providing cancer patients with information and support during their cancer journey is an important part of their new strategy.
Daffodil Day has made it possible for the society to expand its cancer information service into hospitals through the Daffodil Centres, making it easy for those with, or affected by, cancer to access free, confidential services. The centre at UHG received 2,220 enquiries last year.
The Irish Cancer Society’s cancer information service, which reached more than 200,000 people in Ireland in 2012 - 17,541 in Galway - aims to improve the lives of cancer patients providing information to empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment.
The charity is appealing to local people to volunteer, organise or donate money on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or visit www.cancer.ie/ daffodilday
It says it is vital that Daffodil Day reaches its ambitious fundraising target of €3.4m in order to continue to provide and expand this service and others.
Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, the chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society said 2013 marked a significant year for the Irish Cancer Society.
“It is our 50th year of operation and we are happy to be heading into the next 50 years with an ambitious and exciting new strategy. To turn our vision into reality we need continued support from the public for campaigns like Daffodil Day. Daffodil Day is the biggest fundraiser of the Society and reaching our target will have a huge impact on what we can achieve during 2013 and beyond.
“It is also important for me to thank our volunteers in Galway who are the heart of the society and invest a huge amount of time into making Daffodil Day a success in their communities. For the last 26 years these people have been the lifeblood of our organisation and their continued support is a tribute to what we have achieved during the last 50 years. This continued support is essential to our future success. We are also very grateful to our corporate partner Dell. The Dell team have been our partner in delivering Daffodil Day for the last three years and the support that they and their staff bring is inspiring.”
