Trish leads Daffodil Day
Trish Brown is no stranger to cancer, it’s a disease that has affected many members of her own family.
It’s this personal affect on her life, plus the large amount of people whose lives are touched by the ‘nasty disease’ that has spurned on her decision to become the new Matamata Daffodil Day area co-ordinator.
‘‘It’s a good cause, I’ve co-ordinated for all sorts of other things in the past and I thought I can put my talents to good use. It’s more than just putting your hand in the pocket once a year. It’s the satisfaction of doing a job well and helping others contribute and getting the community involved.
‘‘There isn’t anyone in New Zealand who doesn’t know of or is related to someone who has gone through or passed away from cancer. It touches everyone, and it’s such a nasty disease.
‘‘Every morning you wake up is a good day. We take so much for granted and there are so many people who have a finite time.’’
Daffodil Day, Friday August 26, is the Cancer Society’s annual flagship event and major fundraising source. In the past, the Matamata community has raised in excess of $10,000 a year and Brown is hoping the community will be just as generous this year.
The daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring, whose bright yellow blooms remind us of the joys the new season will bring. It represents the hope for the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer.
Donations go towards vital research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, information, health promotion and education programmes to reduce cancer risk, awareness campaigns and programmes for people affected by cancer.
’’They’re (The Cancer Society) there and until you need to use them, you don’t realise how much they’re there. For some people it’s that person standing on the corner with the bucket and the daffodils,’’ says Brown.
With Daffodil Day less than five weeks away, Brown has hit the ground running and is keen to hear from anyone interested in helping with the collection. She has a variety of different jobs available and is encouraging anyone to get involved. You can contact Brown on 027 211 2641.