Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Early spring flower sprouts popping up across the region mean two things-spring is here and the Canadian Cancer Socieity’s Daffodil campaign is underway.
Running throughout the month of April, the Daffodil Campaign raises funds to support nationwide programs that offer comfort and connection for families battling cancer.
As with the previous two years this year’s fundraiser will be held virtually so as to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among the vulnerable population. Those wishing to support the cause can visit https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/daffodil to donate and send a ‘virtual’ daffodil to a loved one or in memory of someone.
“We recognize that the daffodil is resilient, it’s the first flower to bloom in the spring,” says Kelly Merrithew, manager of third party fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society. “For those living with cancer it’s also a symbol of strength, courage and hope. This April we are still inviting Canadians to rally around the symbol like we would in the past and to provide hope for people that are affecting by cancer because nearly half of Canadians are still expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Donating to the Canadian Cancer Society’s daffodil campaign is still the most impactful way to support people living with cancer and to change the future of cancer forever. With the donations that are raised every year we fund our ground breaking research, we provide a compassionate support system, we advocate the government to shape a healthier society for all Canadians and then ultimately and most importantly, we champion the needs of those affected by cancer during the pandemic.”
Some locations in larger urban centres, such as Toronto, will have tip tap stations set up within stores for people to donate with the tap of a card. More rural locations such as Lennox and Addington will encourage those to give through the website. Volunteers able to assist in larger urban centres are always welcome.
While the need for donations is always present, the last few years have been particularly challenging for a myriad of reasons.
“We’re learned that there’s devastating consequences for delaying cancer care for even just a few weeks,” said Merrithew. “One study showed that just a four week delay in cancer treatment increases the risk of death by about 10 per cent. So now more than ever, support matters. It’s always going to be an urgency, even though the pandemic seems to slow things down, cancer didn’t stop being a life threatening and life altering disease during that time. People still need support, probably even more now because of the delays in the treatments in treatments, surgeries and diagnoses.”
Along with Daffodil Month, the Canadian Cancer Society will host its annual Relay for Life with local options available in Kingston or Belleville. The event will be held on June 11 with more information available at www.Cancer.ca. Later in October will be the annual CIBC Run for the Cure.
In the meantime anyone wishing to host a fundraising event can contact www.CancerFighter.ca.