Louth survivor calls on community to go all in against cancer

Louth man and cancer survivor Niall Breen from Dundalk is calling on his local community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which takes place on Friday 20 March. 

27 year old Niall was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, or ALCL, in November 2024 after her noticed a lump near his neck that kept growing. 

Being diagnosed with cancer also reminded Niall of his late mother, Joan, who had breast cancer and passed away in 2017 at age 55. Niall said: “When I was diagnosed with cancer myself, it definitely brought back memories of seeing my mother going through cancer.”

Niall was successfully treated with six rounds of chemotherapy. While being treated in Beaumont Hospital, Niall attended an Irish Cancer Society workshop called LACES (Life And Cancer – Enhancing Survivorship) to help him to prepare for life after cancer.

Read also: Much needed funding available for community groups in Louth

Talking about the impact of the Irish Cancer Society LACES workshop, Niall said: “It was about life after cancer, and they spoke about how to get back into doing things like exercise and diet, and they gave really helpful advice about things like finance. It gave me really good insight into what to expect after finishing treatment.”

In May 2025, Niall was told his cancer was in remission: “It was a feeling of pure joy and elation when I was told. It’s probably the best piece of news I’ve ever received. It didn’t feel real.”

Now encouraging people across Louth to support Daffodil Day, Niall 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 Louth. 

In 2025, your generous support provided:

• Around 300 free lifts to bring Louth-based cancer patients to their treatment
• Over 410 free counselling sessions for people living in Louth
• Over 110 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Louth to die at home surrounded by loved ones
• Irish Cancer Society Nurses had over 260 conversations with people from Louth on the  Irish Cancer Society Support Line and in  Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Centres

Irish Cancer Society Acting CEO Edel Shovlin 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 Louth, 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-life care to a patient in their own home. 

For more information about Daffodil Day visit https://www.cancer.ie/daffodilday