National Daffodil Day was announced at a reception in Dublin yesterday as figures showed fewer people died of cancer in 1996 than in any of the previous five years. The Irish Cancer Society's major annual fund-raising event takes place on Friday, March 20th, and it is hoped £1 million will be raised.
Ms Helen Gelletlie, spokeswoman for the society, said: "We first broke the £1 million barrier in 1995 and have raised over £1 million every year since. We hope to do the same again this year."
Among the speakers at yesterday's event were the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Cowen, and the chairman of the Irish Cancer Society, Dr Desmond Carney, who is a cancer specialist.
Dr Carney outlined the distribution of funds in the year ahead, including the provision of 38 palliative nurses in 25 counties, a night nursing service and finance for the society's cancer helpline.
At the reception, singer Leslie Dowdall performed her hit single, Wonderful Thing, which will be sold in aid of the daffodil campaign.