A familiar splash of yellow returns to towns across the region as Daffodil Day collectors take to the streets to support people and whānau impacted by cancer.

“Today, August 28, and tomorrow, August 29, volunteers will be out across the nation with their yellow collection buckets, giving locals plenty of opportunities to stop, say ‘hello’ and make a donation,” Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty chief executive Helen Carter.

And behind every daffodil is a reason to give, she said.

“With one in three New Zealanders expected to experience cancer in their lifetime, chances are most of us know someone who has been affected – a parent, partner, friend, colleague, neighbour, or perhaps ourselves.

“That’s why this year’s Daffodil Day message feels particularly fitting: when one in three of us is impacted, every one of us matters.”

Carter said every donation made this Daffodil Day helps the Cancer Society continue to be there when someone hears the words no one wants to hear; “You have cancer”.

“For some, that support might mean a volunteer driver helping them get safely to treatment.

“For others, it could be a cancer navigator helping make sense of what comes next, information and support from a cancer information nurse, or a free place to stay when cancer treatment takes them away from home.”

For people who need to travel to Hamilton for treatment, the Cancer Society Lions Lodge provides a welcoming home away from home at no cost to guests, while a regular shuttle helps take guests to and from their appointments at Waikato Hospital.

Funds raised via Daffodil Day also support cancer research, prevention and health-promotion work.

“The Cancer Society is New Zealand’s largest private funder of cancer research,” Carter said.

She encouraged people to pop a donation in the bucket on August 28-29 or donate online at: daffodilday.org.nz