Cancer Society Auckland cancels Daffodil Day street appeal for first time in 30 years.
Cancer Society Auckland says it will not be running its annual Daffodil Day street appeal on August 28th and 29th. This is the first time in 30 years that the much-loved street appeal will not take place in Auckland.
At this stage, the Daffodil Day street appeal will still go ahead in the rest of New Zealand. Only Auckland’s street collection is cancelled as a precaution against COVID-19.
Cancer Society CEO Andrew Young says although it is heart-breaking to cancel this event, the health and wellbeing of the community is the number one priority. “Our street appeal involves thousands of dedicated volunteers, and tens of thousands of Aucklanders who donate every year. We are not willing to put anyone at risk.”
Young is asking Aucklanders to instead support Cancer Society by donating at daffodilday.org.nz. The charity has launched an online campaign asking for $24 to help pay for a driver to take a cancer patient to and from treatment. “Not having a street collection is a big blow for the Cancer Society Auckland team and the wider community,” Young says. “Our Daffodil Day activities raise up to $1 million every year, which includes all the enthusiastic support we receive from schools and business. Cancelling this appeal will severely impact our ability to raise funds and support Aucklanders with cancer, so online donations are crucial to us this year.”
The number of Kiwis diagnosed with cancer over lockdown was down 47%. Young says as New Zealand now plays catch up, the demand for patient and family support services is already increasing and is only expected to grow. “This is an incredibly challenging year for us. I’d like to thank all our volunteers for their effort and commitment in preparation for Daffodil Day 2020. We never imagined that we would be in this position when celebrating our 30th anniversary of this iconic event.”
All Cancer Society Auckland’s services are still operating for people with cancer. “Our accommodation, Domain Lodge, is still open for patients receiving life-saving cancer care at Auckland Hospital,” Young says. “Our nurses and psychologists are providing advice and support over phone and Zoom, and our drivers continue to take people to and from treatment.
“With Auckland’s support, we will get through this. We ask all those Aucklanders who so generously drop cash in a bucket on Daffodil Day, to instead support us by donating at daffodilday.org.nz.”
For more information, contact:
Rachael Russell, Communications Manager, Cancer Society Auckland Northland
0276009568