Music legends Anne and Linda Nolan have opened up about their experience of cancer during Covid-19 as they urge people to get involved with this year’s Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on March 26.
The sisters were diagnosed just days apart in the early part of the pandemic and have spoken about how their experience of cancer has been made all the more difficult due to the impact of Covid-19. Linda’s incurable cancer is in her liver and Anne has recently received the all clear for a stage three breast cancer diagnosis but remains on treatment.
Anne said, “Linda and I both had cancer before, when there was no pandemic and I know the difference between the two. The first time I had cancer, my family was there and the same for Linda. This time, you were more or less on your own and it was more traumatic.”
Linda recalls how, unlike the first time Anne was diagnosed with cancer when the sisters could get together to laugh, cry, hug and “let her know we were there”, the pandemic meant that after Anne’s latest diagnosis “we had to stand at the garden wall and wave.”
For Anne, Covid-19 also brought increased anxiety which left her afraid to even go for a walk due to the fact that her treatment meant she was at a high risk if she contracted the virus. This is why the sisters, originally from Dublin’s northside, are proudly supporting this Daffodil Day – which is the most important in the history of the Irish Cancer Society – to ensure that vital supports for people on the same journey can continue to be there.
“We’re proud to be ambassadors for Daffodil Day. Charities through this pandemic have been hit so hard. People think it will be fine and it will pick up next year, but Daffodil Day raises millions of euro and we want to remind people that the Irish Cancer Society services are still here and we still need your generosity,” Linda said.
Linda and Anne have also written a book on their experience called ‘Stronger Together’, published by Ebury Press, which will be released on April 15.
Daffodil Day, proudly supported by Boots Ireland, takes place on Friday March 26. Due to the current public health restrictions, street collections and community events will not be possible for a second year running. However, there are still a number of ways people can get involved this year, including: hosting virtual fundraisers and collections, purchasing items from the Daffodil Day online shop, or making a donation at www.cancer.ie .
Boots’ 89 stores located nationwide, will be raising vital funds by selling Daffodil pins in store and hosting virtual fundraisers across the country. To find your nearest store or to learn more about the support of Daffodil Day, visit www.boots.ie.
If you have concerns or questions about cancer, or to learn more about support services available in your area, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone:1800 200 700
For more information visit www.cancer.ie/daffodilday
