Kilkenny breast cancer survivor urges community to go all in against cancer on Daffodil Day

Kilkenny woman and breast cancer survivor Delma Butler has called on her local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society's Daffodil Day on Friday, 28 March. 

Delma from Rathmoyle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after she found a lump in her breast. Shortly after she finished her cancer treatment in 2022, Delma had a breast cancer reoccurrence after discovering another lump. The young mother of two was forced to undergo chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. 

Reflecting on her experiences, the 41-year-old said: "I feel really happy. This could’ve happened to anyone, so I don’t feel like, ‘Why me?’ I don’t dwell on it. I did everything as normally as I could when I was going through treatment. I planned around my treatments and did everyday, normal things when I felt better. I went out for walks every day. Everything was normal for me, except for the days when I wasn’t well after treatment.

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"I am very grateful for the treatment options that were available to me, especially after my second diagnosis. I was put on a chemotherapy drug that was very tolerable and that would not have been available to me a few years previously but, thanks to research, treatment is improving all the time."

Delma continued: "Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fuelling life-changing cancer research and vital support services. I would encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 28th, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community."

Supported by the generosity of the public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in ground-breaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people like Delma affected by cancer throughout Kilkenny and the rest of the country. 

Kilkenny alone saw major services provided last year by the Irish Cancer Society. In 2024 over 280 free lifts to bring Kilkenny cancer patients to their treatments were provided as well as over 180 free counselling sessions to local Kilkenny people. Additionally, over 160 nights of free Night Nursing care was provided which allowed cancer patients in the county to die at home surrounded by their loved ones. 

Not only this, but the organisation's cancer nurses had over 250 conversations with people living in Kilkenny on their Support Line and in their 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."

She added: "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 Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny will have access to the support they need, when they need it most."

For more information about this year's Daffodil Day and how you can get involved, visit the Irish Cancer Society's website.