Christmas makes it even harder to deal with the loss of Christy Dignam, his daughter Kiera has told Newstalk Breakfast.

The Aslan singer passed away at the age of 63 earlier this year after a decade-long battle with cancer.

His daughter Kiera Dignam told Newstalk Breakfast this morning that she is trying to stay in high spirits for the sake of her children.

“It’s rough, it was six months on Wednesday [since he died],” she said.

“When you have kids, you try to keep that magic going for them, but It’s going against every feeling I have to try and make it work.

“I’m trying to make it a positive experience but it’s just not.”

Ms Dignam said people have been very supportive.

“People are amazing; I’m still getting messages daily and emails and stuff from people thinking of me,” she said.

“I don’t think people realise the effect that they have and the support that a couple of words can give. Being kind really makes a difference.”

Christy Dignam gives Kiera Dignam away at her wedding. 21-9-19 Image: Supplied.

Ms Dignam was on the show to highlight the Irish Cancer Society's (ICS) Christmas campaign which aims to remember the 9,000 lives lost to cancer in Ireland last year by lighting up 9,000 Christmas lights.

She said most people are unaware of the services the ICS can provide.

“Like most people, I wasn’t aware of the services they provide until we were unfortunately in a position where we needed them,” she said.

“My dad was sick for ten years and we didn’t avail of any of the services for most of that time and that was mainly because we didn’t know they were there.”

Kiera Dignam and Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power launching the charity's Christmas campaign. Image: Irish Cancer Society

Eventually, in the days before Christy’s death, the family did avail of ICS services.

“In my dad’s last couple of days, we got the help of a night nurse that we didn’t realise was an option, but it meant we could go and have a rest when we really needed it,” she said.

“It allowed us to be 100% though the day time and that’s something they can provide to families all year round, including at Christmas time.”

“People might be in a hospice or a hospital and want to come home to die; having a night nurse allows people to do that and that is one thing they can provide.”

Christy Dignam speaks at Pendulum Summit in the Dublin Convention Centre in January 2020. Picture by: NurPhoto SRL / Alamy Stock Photo

She said most of the charity’s money is raised through public donations.

They’re a non-profit organisation and they only get 5% of their funding from the state,” said Ms Dignam.

“Everything else is reliant on people donating, volunteering, running coffee mornings, and other stuff like that.

“It’s very sad, over 9,000 people lose their lives to cancer every year in this country.

“That’s over 9,000 families that are heading into Christmas and the New Year having lost somebody.”

Ms Dignam said the ICS also provides counselling support, talk you through your diagnosis, and helps you access all available support services.

She appealed for the public to consider donating to the cause, which can be done by visiting cancer.ie

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Main Image: Christy Dignam. Credit: Colin Keegan/Collins