A reason behind every daffodil

A familiar splash of yellow will return to Taupō this week, as Daffodil Day collectors take to the streets to support people impacted by cancer.

On August 28-29, volunteers will be out across Taupō with their yellow collection buckets, giving locals plenty of opportunities to stop, say hello and make a donation.

And behind every daffodil is a reason to give.

With 1 in 3 New Zealanders expected to experience cancer in their lifetime, chances are most of us know someone who has been affected, a parent, partner, friend, colleague, neighbour, or perhaps ourselves.

That’s why this year’s Daffodil Day message feels particularly fitting: when 1 in 3 of us is impacted, every one of us matters.

Every donation made this Daffodil Day helps Cancer Society continue to be there when someone in our community hears the words no one wants to hear: you have cancer.

For some, that support might mean a volunteer driver helping them get safely to treatment. For others, it could be a Cancer Navigator helping make sense of what comes next, information and support from a Cancer Information Nurse, or a free place to stay when cancer treatment takes them away from home.

For people who need to travel to Hamilton for treatment, the Cancer Society Lions Lodge provides a welcoming home away from home at no cost to guests, while a regular shuttle helps take guests to and from their appointments at Waikato Hospital.

Funds raised through Daffodil Day also help support cancer research, prevention and health-promotion work - meaning the generosity shown in local communities can make a difference well beyond the collection bucket.

Cancer Society is New Zealand’s largest private funder of cancer research.

There are plenty of ways to be part of Daffodil Day.

If you spot a flash of yellow while you’re out and about in Taupō on Friday August 28 or Saturday August 29, stop by and say hello to one of our friendly Daffodil Day collectors. If you can, pop a donation in the bucket - big or small, it all matters.

And if you don’t happen to cross paths with a collector, you don’t have to miss your chance to help. Donations can be made easily online at daffodilday.org.nz.

However you choose to get behind Daffodil Day - by donating, fundraising, wearing yellow or simply showing your support – you’re helping the Cancer Society continue to show up for the 1 in 3.

Because when one in three of us is impacted, every one of us matters.

Give hope this Daffodil Day.

To donate or find out more, visit daffodilday.org.nz.