Pride Parade 2019 will welcome the support of The Irish Cancer Society for the first time - to provide confidential and compassionate advice and support to LGBTI+ cancer patients and their loved ones across Ireland.
Its’ parade group will be led by CEO Averil Power and ‘Daff Man’ James Gilleran whose partner Tony was cared for by an Irish Cancer Society nurse before he passed away last year.
James, dressed head-to-toe in hundreds of daffodil pins, has fundraised each Daffodil Day for the Irish Cancer Society for the past 25 years.
“My partner Tony died last June and, before he went into hospice care, a night nurse from the Irish Cancer Society spent a night with us. It was a huge help – she looked after Tony so well, and gave me the respite I needed so that, in his final days, I could be there for him at his bedside.
10/2/2017. Launch of Irish Cancer Societys 30th Daffodil Day. Pictured (LtoR) Daff Man (John Gilleran) and the Minister for Health Simon Harris TD at the launch of Irish Cancer Societys 30th Daffodil Day in Croke Park in Dublin today. Hundreds of Daffodil Day volunteers from around the country gathered in Croke Park to launch Daffodil Day, Irelands longest running collection day which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie“Tony always encouraged me to play the ‘Daff Man’ on Daffodil Day and was hugely supportive. I lost my father and aunt to cancer, while Tony lost his two sisters. So the Irish Cancer Society’s work really meant a lot to both of us.
“There isn’t a family in Ireland who hasn’t been affected by cancer. I want everyone to know that families like mine will get the same level of care, compassion and support from the Irish Cancer Society as any other. That’s why I’m happy to don my daffodil suit and join them in the Pride Parade next Saturday”, he said.
CEO Averil Power said: “Cancer can affect us all. We want everyone to know that, no matter who you are, or who you love, we’re here to help.”
“Some LGBTI+ people feel uncomfortable talking to their doctor about personal issues, such as the impact of cancer treatment on their sexual function or their relationships.
“The portrayal of certain cancers, such as cervical or prostate cancer, as gender-specific can also overlook the needs of the transgender community.
“Our cancer nurses are trained to treat everyone with kindness, compassion, and dignity at all times. Every call to our free Nurseline or conversation had in our Daffodil Centres is treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect,” she said.
The charity is also conscious LGBTI+ people are more likely to develop certain cancers, such as those caused by HPV.
It has partnered with BeLonG To Youth Services and the Gay Health Network as part of the HPV Vaccination Alliance, to increase awareness of the vaccine among the LGBTI+ community.
It is also consulting LGBTI+ groups as part of the development of the Society’s new 5-year strategy.
