Daffodil Centre offically launched at Letterkenny General Hospital

The Irish Cancer Society today officially launched its Daffodil Centre at Letterkenny General Hospital. The Daffodil Centre, which is run by an Irish Cancer Society Cancer Information Service Nurse and 15 trained volunteers, is an information service on-site in the hospital, where people affected by or concerned about cancer can receive information and support.
The Daffodil Centre is the result of a successful partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and Letterkenny General Hospital. In July 2013, two weeks before the Daffodil Centre was set to open, Letterkenny Hospital was hit by flooding. As a result, it was relocated on a temporary basis to Letterkenny Shopping Centre and in February 2014 moved back into the hospital to a temporary location while the rebuild was completed in April 2014.
“We are delighted to be able to officially launch our Daffodil Centre at our permanent home in Letterkenny General Hospital, said John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society. “We are extremely thankful for all the support we have received from the local community, Letterkenny General Hospital and Letterkenny Shopping Centre over the past year. It has been a pleasure to support cancer patients and their families in Donegal and we will continue to be there for those affected by cancer in Donegal.
Those affected by cancer in Donegal have been visiting the Daffodil Centre in huge numbers with almost 3,900 interactions with the Centre to date since it first opened in September 2013 in Letterkenny Shopping Centre. The most common queries are from those looking for advice in relation to cancer treatments and related side-effects, support and psychological care and information about entitlements and services available. Information on cancer prevention, early detection and palliative care services was also requested.
John McCormack continued, “This is a service not just for the patient – it is for their families and friends and anyone else who has a concern or question about cancer. The Centre in Donegal is one of twelve across the country and it is our hope that one day we will have a Daffodil Centre in every place where cancer is diagnosed and treated.”
TBC Mr Sean Murphy, General Manager of Letterkenny General Hospital said, “We welcome the opportunity to work with the Irish Cancer Society to host a Daffodil Centre and we share their vision to transform the patient experience in relation to cancer information and support. The Centre will also support Letterkenny General Hospital staff, as they can be assured they are directing their patients to a trusted source of support and information, delivered by a professional and expert organisation.”
The Daffodil Centre is open to the public, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, with no appointment or referral necessary. The Irish Cancer Society has been developing information and support services for over 50 years and is the leading provider of cancer information in Ireland. The Cancer Information Service, of which the Daffodil Centres are a part, offers advice, information and support to anyone worried about any aspect of cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care. The service, which is staffed by experienced and specialist cancer nurses, incorporates the National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700), email and a ‘walk-in’ service.
The Daffodil Centre in Letterkenny was made possible by the generous funds raised at Donegal Relay For Life and the support of the Darren Clarke Foundation.