Daffodil Day – all you need to know
- Written by
- Abby Beswick
Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society’s biggest annual fundraiser, where communities come together to raise much-needed funds to support people impacted by cancer.
This year, the national street collection appeal will be held on Friday 26 August. The need to raise awareness and support this Daffodil Day is higher than ever this year after COVID-19 restrictions prevented last year’s street collections from going ahead.
“It hit us pretty hard”, says Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty fundraising events coordinator, Shay Rout. As a result they switched to an online version of Daffodil Day last year so individuals and businesses could still get involved, but it lacked the impact of the usual street appeal. “Daffodil Day isn’t just about fundraising, it’s about connecting with the community,” says Rout.
Around 25,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer every year. Since Daffodil Day began in 1990, the number of New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer each year has more than doubled, and it’s set to double again in the next 25 years.
How Daffodil Day helps
The community’s support on Daffodil Day makes a positive difference in the life of someone facing a cancer diagnosis. The funds raised are used where they’re needed most:
– Supportive care nurses work one-on-one with cancer patients and their whānau and connect
them with practical support like prepared meals,
transport to treatment and counselling
– Free meals and accommodation at the Cancer Society’s Lions
Lodge in Hamilton for Cancer patients who have to travel long distances for treatment.
– Investment in research into the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer
How you can get involved
Donate when you see the street collector on Friday 26 August, or online at daffodilday.org.nz
If you’re a business owner you can register online and you’ll be sent out a resources pack to help you do your own fundraising.
All of the tools and ideas you need can be found on the Daffodil Day website, ranging from lockdown- friendly ideas to quizzes, yellow morning teas, and decorating your office.
Your support makes a huge difference to the lives of others, says Rout. “It’s absolutely incredible to be able to help people going through such a tough journey in their life.”
Five key numbers (from the year to March 2021):
- $244,335 – amount contributed by Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society to local and national cancer research.
- 8,436 – number of times supportive care nurses offered advice, information, advocacy and a listening ear to someone with cancer, their whānau or friends.
- 2,928 – number of meals delivered to clients and carers in need.
- 11,093 – number of nights’ accommodation provided to guests at Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge in Hamilton.
- 76,541 – number of kilometres travelled by volunteers transporting people to medical appointments and treatments.