By Mike Beitz, The Beacon Herald
Sunday, April 5, 2015 10:37:38 EDT AM
It’s been a symbol of strength and courage in the fight against cancer for decades.
The bright and cheerful daffodil will soon be blooming on tables, counters, desks and lapels as the Canadian Cancer Society kicks off its annual Daffodil Month in April.
“This is a symbol that a lot of people know,” said Dianne Mohr, manager of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Huron-Perth office. “And it’s a way of showing support for people with cancer, or those who have lost someone to cancer.”
From April 9-23, fresh-cut daffodils will be available for $4.99 and, new this year, potted daffodils for $5.99 at Zehrs in Stratford and Listowel, Walkom’s Valu-Mart in Mitchell, and McDonalds Your Independent Grocer in St. Marys.
For every bunch or pot, $2 will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Daffodil pins will also be available at a variety of locations, and volunteers in Perth and Huron communities will be canvassing door-to-door during April, collecting donations for the Canadian Cancer Society.
In total, some 510 people will be canvassing locally, and another 170 volunteers will be selling daffodil pins in this area, noted Mohr.
The goal for Daffodil Month (pins, flowers, workplace/school campaigns and door-to-door canvassing) in Perth and Huron is $100,000.
That will go to help patients and their families in the community through life-saving research and support services.
And the money raised locally goes a long way, said Mohr, noting that $50 will cover the cost of a ride to a cancer treatment appointment, and $100 will help with research, advocacy, prevention and support services.
On a larger scale, $10,000 will enable a cancer patient to participate in a clinical trial to test potentially life-saving new treatments, and $100,000 will fund a cancer research project for an entire year.
“It makes a difference,” said Mohr.
Last year in Huron-Perth, the organization:
- provided 1,750 safe rides (drove 151,544 kilometres) for cancer-related appointments for 143 local people diagnosed with cancer
- assisted 10 local families for 350 trips to their child’s cancer-related appointments
- offered support, advice and information to 65 local people about quitting tobacco use through the Smoker’s Helpline
- helped 20 local people who were diagnosed with cancer, or their caregivers, connect with volunteers who’ve had cancer or cared for a loved one with cancer
- provided answers to questions about all types of cancer and cancer-related topics to more than 200 people through the confidential, toll-free line 1-888-939-3333
- answered hundreds of calls and drop-in visits from people looking for information and support in the community through the local office, and connected thousands of patients, caregivers, survivors and their families through CancerConnection.ca, an online support community
- helped to invest $785,000 in nine cancer research projects and support 21 clinical trials in southwestern Ontario