Compassion drives Kaniva fundraiser

For a volunteer group in a self-confessed ‘small country town’, unabating community generosity is at the core of its 30-year contributions to a cancer-free future.

Kaniva Cancer Council is celebrating its 30th anniversary and about $150,000 in donations for cancer awareness and research.

Following an ‘incredible’ community fundraising effort at an annual Biggest Morning Tea event earlier this year, volunteers will return to Kaniva’s streets on August 23, Daffodil Day, to continue their campaign against cancer.

The national day will see members selling daffodils and raffle tickets, with prizes including a painting and a quilt, in front of the town’s IGA supermarket from 9am to 3pm.

Kaniva Cancer Council president Heather Wallis said the day’s success always came back to the spirit, generosity and love from Kaniva residents.

“People here are always happy to help, that is the kind of community Kaniva is,” she said.

“You only have to put up a stall and people are handing over donations.

“It is only a small community, but the generosity is outstanding. I think it might be because people are closer in country towns. Everyone knows each other and looks out for each other. It’s a good way to live.

“We couldn’t do this without the community.”

Mrs Wallis said it was an unfortunate reality that the majority of people, including herself, have been touched by cancer in some way.

She lost her three year old niece to the disease – a neuroblastoma tumour – about 30 years ago, as well as her brother-in-law.

“I have a very close friend who is living with cancer now,” she said.

“She was diagnosed four years ago and told she only had one year to live. But she is still alive today and a member of our group.”

Mrs Doyle said yearly community donations, such as Kaniva IGA owners Lochie and Nikki Doyle who donate 120 daffodil bunches, meant the group could continue to help facilitate research, improved care and better lives for people affected.

“We usually raise up to $2000 on Daffodil Day,” she said.

“At the Biggest Morning Tea this year we raised $5000.

“We invited a lot of past volunteers and family members and we presented service awards, which were in increments of five years. It was an incredible day.

“The Biggest Morning Tea and Daffodil Day are our main fundraisers and we are very grateful for all the wonderful contributions we receive.”