Yellow will be colour of giving

The town will glow with a golden hue as Cancer Society Marlborough moves onto the streets for the annual Daffodil Day fundraising event.

‘‘In Blenheim, we colour the town yellow with balloons and book Market Place, the area outside our office in the Forum building,’’ says Anna Small, the Cancer Society’s health promotion co-ordinator.

‘‘There is musical entertainment throughout the day, often a coffee cart and wonderful volunteers throughout town collecting donations and giving out daffodils (the symbol of hope),’’ she says.

‘‘Businesses take part in a ‘decorate your window yellow’ competition to help share awareness of Daffodil Day and brighten up the town.’’

The Cancer Society, a nongovernment funded organisation, receives no formal funding and therefore must rely solely on donations and bequests to continue offering its free services to the community.

‘‘At Cancer Society Marlborough, our aim is to reduce the impact and incidence of cancer throughout Marlborough,’’ she says.

‘‘Our work covers Blenheim and the greater Marlborough area, including the Upper Wairau Valley, Havelock, Picton, the Marlborough Sounds and south to Kekerengu, including Seddon and Ward.

‘‘No matter who you are, where you live, or the issues you are facing because of cancer, we can help with confidential support, and information that’s easy to read and find.

‘‘These services are available for cancer patients, survivors, carers, wha¯nau and friends. Our services help people manage the practical and mental challenges that cancer may cause.’’

Cancer Society Marlborough offers a range of practical services, including: information on cancer and treatment issues given by cancer information nurses, emotional and psychological support either through counselling or workshops and education groups, transport to treatment-related appointments, health promotion throughout the community to promote the importance of screening and early detection of cancers as well as evidence-based advice on modifiable cancer risk factors such as sunsmart education, smokefree information, nutrition and physical activity.

Marlborough Centre Cancer Society of New Zealand, Forum Building, Market St, Blenheim. Ph 03 579 4379, cancersoc.org.nz.

Kathryn Nicholls receives a donation from Paul Corbett on Daffodil Day last year.