Mt Keira’s Vanessa Rees always had a friend by her side as she spent hours undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
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It was the support of friends and family that helped her get over her shock diagnosis three years ago, and saw her through the ensuing battle.
Now in remission, Ms Rees has added her support to this year’s Daffodil Day campaign.
This year marks 30 years of Daffodil Day in NSW, and the Cancer Council hopes to raise $2.6 million for cancer research, support services and prevention programs.
The theme for 2016 is ‘For Someone I Know’, and Illawarra residents are being encouraged to dedicate a daffodil pin to someone they know who has been affected by cancer.
‘’Being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system – was pretty shocking for me as I was so young and there was no history of cancer in my family,’’ Ms Rees, now 25, said.
‘’I’d had a lump on the base of my neck and I’d kept putting off seeing a doctor … but a biopsy confirmed it.
‘’I needed to have chemotherapy every two weeks for six months, and each session a different friend came with me.
‘’That support from friends, and family, makes all the difference. I’m now supporting Daffodil Day to help make a difference to others facing a similar diagnosis.’’
In 2016, some 2810 people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
In addition to buying a daffodil pin on Daffodil Day – August 26 – residents are being urged to volunteer.
Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Sanchia Aranda, said it was also one of the first charities in Australia to enable supporters to donate via text.
We wanted to provide a new and more personal way for Australians to show their support.
- Cancer Council Australia CEO, Sanchia Aranda
“Daffodil Day is one of Cancer Council’s most well-known fundraising events,” Professor Aranda said.
“We are encouraging Australians to show their support for someone they know by donating via text message and dedicating a daffodil – it could be a family member, friend, colleague, carer or someone else who has inspired you.’’
Text HOPE to 1999 8877 to make a $5 donation and dedicate a virtual daffodil to someone. More details at www.daffodilday.com.au