The Cancer Society's biggest annual fundraiser, Daffodil Day, is being held today, Friday, August 25 and the Cancer Society desperately needs the support of Kiwis to keep up with the increasing demand for its services.
Around 70,000 fabric daffodils will be available via schools, community groups, local businesses and more than 230 street collection sites in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Cancer Society launched its iconic Daffodil Day fundraiser nationwide in 1991 and says more than 22,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year – a number that is only set to increase.
But there is hope. Treatments are getting better and more people are surviving cancer than ever before.
Fundraising manager Catriona Findlay says that with 60 New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer each day, it's a vital fundraiser.
'With one in three Kiwis affected by cancer, many of the people you see wearing a daffodil this August will be wearing it for someone they love,” she says.
'The daffodil is a symbol of hope. Every donation we receive this Daffodil day will stay in the region and help the Cancer Society to provide care and to fund research.”
The fundraising and awareness campaign is supported by hundreds of volunteers in the region, who give more than 1,500 hours of support to ensure its success.
'We would like to thank all of the businesses and individuals who have supported Daffodil Day this year by donating either time or money,” says Miss Findlay.
'Every donation, no matter how big or small, can make a difference.”
Donations can be made online at www.daffodilday.org.nz, at any ANZ Branch or into the collection buckets around town.
All funds raised locally from Daffodil Day will stay in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region and assist the Cancer Society to provide supportive care for people with cancer, their carers, whanau and friends; fund cancer research and provide the public with information on the ways to reduce the risk of cancer through living a smoke-free, sun-smart, healthy lifestyle.
The Cancer Society receives no direct funding from government and relies on the generosity of New Zealanders to fund these services.
Every donation counts. Who will you wear it for?
For more information about the Cancer Society phone 0800 CANCER/0800 226 237 or visit www.cancernz.org.nz
Headline: Your donations make a difference
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society receives no direct government funding and relies on the support of New Zealanders to operate.
Here are just some of the ways donations have helped the society make a difference for Kiwis living with cancer over the past year:
- 9435 liaison nurse contacts including home visits, phone calls and emails
- 126 support group meetings for people living with cancer and their carers
- 1349 therapeutic massages for clients or carers where massage therapy will assist in care
- 800 frozen meals delivered to clients and carers in need of support with meals
- 69 per cent of schools are SunSmart accredited
- 750 volunteers who help with various roles including transporting clients to treatment, administration, support at hospital oncology departments and rural community support
- 8522 volunteer hours
- 77,631 kilometres travelled by volunteer drivers transporting people to and from treatment
- $408,273 donated by our division to local and national cancer research.