Laois family urging community to ‘go all in against cancer’ this Daffodil Day

A Laois family are urging the county to “go all in against cancer” for Daffodil Day 2025.

The Fennelly family, Frank, Cathy and Florence, used World Cancer Day this week to call on their community to “turn daffodil yellow” on Daffodil Day.

Cathy Fennelly is Chair of the Portlaoise Daffodil Day Committee in Portlaoise and has been involved with the group for almost quarter of a century.

Cathy began as a volunteer before joining the committee and became Chairperson approximately three years ago.

“We’re always looking for volunteers on the day for the street collections,” Cathy said.

“Our volunteer group is kind of aging out, and we find it very difficult to get young volunteers.

“We’d like to get as many young people as we can to come and try it out, and hopefully they’d give us some of their time.”

Visit cancer.ie to get involved or visit the

go learn more.

To volunteer with the Portlaoise Daffodil Day or to learn more visit Cancer.ie, visit the Portlaoise Daffodil Day Facebook page, or contact Cathy directly on 086-8797907.

Cathy is originally from California, USA, while husband Frank is from Mountmellick, with the couple currently living in Ballyfin.

Florence Fennelly is Frank’s cousin and the long-time Deputy Principal at Emo National School.

Florence joined the school in 2002 before becoming Deputy Principal in 2007, a role she held until retiring in 2022.

The annual fundraiser will take place this year on Friday, March 28, where volunteers across the country will work to raise vital funds and give hope to cancer patients.

An estimated 42,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Ireland.

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) are a charity and volunteer organisation that provide essential services, like free counselling, Daffodil Centres, Night Nursing, and patient travel are fuelled by fundraising.

They recently launched a new range of holistic services for those affected by cancer, including a new Diet and Exercise programme and and the ICS Welfare and Supports service.

“There isn’t a family that hasn’t felt the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis.  But no matter what cancer brings, the Irish Cancer Society is here to help,” Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said.

“We simply would be unable to provide this support without the public’s generosity.

“The more we raise on Daffodil Day, the more we can do. The more help we can give to children and adults going through cancer. The more lifesaving research we can fund. And the sooner we can ensure all cancer survivors have the support they need to live life to the full.”

Whether you want to get involved with your school, company, or in your community, there are lots of ways to go all in and support cancer patients across Ireland.

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