Appeal day meets a growing need

Streets will turn yellow this week as volunteers hit the streets to raise funds and awareness for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day appeal. Over 2000 daffodils will be delivered to Putaruru where they will be split between National Bank and volunteers who will be collecting in the centre of town on Daffodil Day, Friday, August 31.

“Daffodil Day is one of New Zealand’s most important fundraising and awareness campaigns with one in three Kiwis affected by cancer. We’ve already had huge support for Daffodil Day this year and people can expect to see many Cancer Society volunteers out on the streets this Daffodil Day,” says Waikato Bay of Plenty Cancer Society spokeswoman Rachael Mounsey.

According to the latest Ministry of Health figures the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing, with 20,000 new registrations. The Bay of Plenty District Health Board region, alongside Taranaki and Canterbury, has significantly more cancer registrations than the national average.

However, while the incidence of cancer increases, more people are surviving the disease due to greater awareness, prevention and screening, and increased and improved treatment options.

The Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Division of the Cancer Society believes the need for the Cancer Society’s vital community services is growing.

‘‘Our cancer liaison nurses are busier than ever and our support groups, transport, accommodation and massage services, and health promotion programmes are being used every day,” says Rachael.

“As the Cancer Society receives no direct government funding, we rely on donations and bequests from the public.’’