By Mackenzie Bellringer FRIDAY, August 29, was Daffodil Day around New Zealand. Daffodil Day is one of the most important fundraising and awareness campaigns in the country.
Since 1990, Daffodil Day has inspired people to come together and support the Cancer Society, as Daffodil Day is the main funding source for
them.
Donations will go towards vital scientific research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, education and awareness campaigns and programmes for people affected by cancer in our area.
The Cancer Society uses the daffodil, as it is one of the earliest flowers of spring, symbolising rebirth, hope and a promise of happier times after the cold winter. The brilliant golden yellow of daffodils uplifts the spirits after the long months with little garden colour. The latest statistics from the Ministry of Health (2004) show that the leading cause of death from cancer was smoking related cancers-trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer, from which there were 1555 deaths.
It also shows that the most common types of cancer vary with age.
Leukaemia is most common among children and youth, melanoma of the skin among 25-44-year-old males, breast cancer among 25-44 year-old females and prostate cancer among males 45 years and older.
Even though Daffodil Day is over, you can still donate and help out the Cancer Society and give the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer hope by visiting www.daffodilday.org.nz
