ADVERTISING FEATURE Daffodil Day donations strike blow against cancer

The Cancer Society’s annual flagship event Daffodil Day – one of the most important fundraising and cancer awareness events – will be held tomorrow New Zealand wide.

Now in its 26th year, Daffodil Day raises awareness of cancer and is the biggest generator of funds for the Cancer Society. The daffodil is one of the first flowers of the spring season and with its bright yellow bloom represents hope for the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer each year.

ANZ has been the principal sponsor of Daffodil Day since the event began. Donations received will go towards vital research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer as well as providing a range of support services, information, health promotion and education programmes to reduce cancer risk, awareness campaigns and programmes for people affected by cancers.

More recently, the Cancer Society has advocated heavily for Pharmac to fund melanoma drugs Opdivo and its alternative Keytruda with CEO Claire Austin presenting at the Labour Party’s Health Summit in the week leading up to the June budget. Austin says the positive progress made in the last twelve months around cancer care in New Zealand is in the past now and there are new areas of focus.

‘‘We have made huge strides over the past year with the generous donations from caring individuals. We want to continue to advocate and continue to provide quality care for cancer patients and their whanau in New Zealand and we are confident Daffodil Day will allow us to do that,’’ Austin says.

‘‘There is still a lot of inequity in New Zealand for those with cancer. Transport support options are different and often unfair depending on where you live in New Zealand. On top of this, it’s difficult to get financial support if you can’t work because of cancer and this should be a priority for the government.

‘‘We help those who fall through the cracks and advocate for fairness for all patients. We thank those who donate to allow us to provide this support.’’

Daffodil Day raises awareness of cancer and is the biggest generator of funds for the Cancer Society.

Sue Benson, left, Linda Lucre and Jayne Marwick, of Cancer Society Nelson, are aptly attired for Friday’s Daffodil Day collection on the streets of Nelson.