Daffodil Day 'more urgent than ever'

When a man approached Nicola Coom on the street to say thank you, at first she was confused.

Then she realised he was talking about the daffodil pin she was wearing.

"I've got bowel cancer and it [the daffodil] just reminds me that people give a damn and people care about me," he told her.

It was a stark reminder of the real world impacts of the Cancer Society Southern chief executive's work.

As Daffodil Day approaches, supporting that work is once again going to be at the forefront of the Cantabrian's mind.

A key fundraiser for the Cancer Society, Daffodil Day will take place this Friday.

People are encouraged to purchase and wear daffodil pins, with all donations going towards advocacy, community support, and cancer research.

"It signifies support not only for the Cancer Society but also for the families who are going through a cancer journey," Coom said.

That journey is something she knows all too well.

Her father has just finished treatment for prostate cancer, and her mother passed away from ovarian cancer.

Her mother was found to have had the BRCA 1 gene, which can markedly increase the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

When Coom discovered she too had the gene, she underwent risk-reducing prophylactic surgery (double mastectomy and oophorectomy) which lowered her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer by 80%.

She believes Daffodil Day is more urgent this year than ever before. The Cancer Society says one in three people will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

"We are predicting that in 10 year's time it will change to one in two people, because the rates of cancer diagnosis are increasing throughout the world."

The Cancer Society campaigns for increased awareness about the need for more cancer screenings, tobacco control and skin cancer prevention. 

Money goes to community support, where they can remove the financial burden of accommodation when people are living far from their hospitals.

Then there is the human side of support services.

"We have over 1000 drivers volunteering throughout New Zealand, who are providing drives to help patients get to their treatment, and to their appointments."

There are also 'cancer navigators', who are in the community to walk alongside families affected by cancer as practical and emotional support.

Cancer research is where the third portion of the money goes.

"In the last 10 years, the Cancer Society has invested over $50 million towards cancer research."

 Overall, the goal is to help improve cancer outcomes and protect future generations. If people cannot donate, volunteering, or raising money another way can help just as much, Coom said.

"Come into the community and shake that bucket alongside us".