Cancer research dependent on fundraiser
The Cancer Society New Zealand has spent more than $6m on cancer research in the past year to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer.
More than $1.8m was spent on the national research grant round, including $392,500 on the Social and Behavioural Research Unit housed at the University of Otago.
The Society’s six divisions spent the following on research: Auckland and Northland, $3.142m; Waikato and Bay of Plenty, $529,054; Central Districts, $175,773; Wellington, $479,100; Canterbury and West Coast, $400,318; Otago and Southland, $181,246.
More than 500,000 daffodils will arrive at the Cancer Society centres around the country this week to be sold by street collectors in an effort to fundraise for the charity. Pin badges, potted daffodils and Daffodil Day bears will also be sold to raise funds to support the work of the Cancer Society around care, research and services.
Daffodil Day has been the Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser for more than 26 years nationally and ANZ has been the principal sponsor from the start. The Cancer Society receives no government funding and relies solely on donations and sponsorships to fund cancer care services and research around cancer awareness.
Donations help fund the Cancer Society’s services such as the volunteer driving service available to cancer patients in New Zealand. Each year, approximately 23,200 trips are made, providing transport for almost 2,400 patients and covering 958,300 km. Donations also help the Society provide accommodation across the road from the major hospitals in New Zealand, with 47,000 bed nights across five divisions – that’s the equivalent of 125 beds full every day of the year.
Donations also help fund the Cancer Society’s free information service which receives more than 11,000 inquiries through the 0800 CANCER helpline providing phone support and advice for cancer patients and their families.
People wanting to back the research and support those affected by cancer can do so by donating directly with a street collector, at any ANZ branch, by texting 469 to instantly donate $3, or online at daffodilday.org.nz.