Yellow daffodil pins adorning people’s lapels this April will help raise money for cancer research and programs, but it is also a symbol to let sufferers of the disease know they are not alone.
Last year the Canadian Cancer Society’s daffodil pin was launched in B.C. and the Yukon during April, which is cancer month, and now the campaign has gone nationwide.
“This is all part of a fight that all Canadians are involved in – a fight against cancer,” said Bill McCullough, president of the Nanaimo unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. “It’s raising and heightening the awareness of people about cancer.”
McCullough said he’s delighted the initiative spread across the nation. The effort was inspired by the poppy pin, a pin of remembrance and used to raise money for veterans.
The Canadian Cancer Society hopes people wear a daffodil pin in support of cancer fighters and survivors, especially on April 27 which is Daffodil Day.
Kathryn Ilott, society regional director for Vancouver Island, said Daffodil Day is to show unified support, much like Nov. 11 supports veterans. She said response to the pin has been overwhelming.
"It's a symbol of life," she said. "It's really the start of something big and everyone wants to get involved."
The campaign was so popular last year in Nanaimo the society ran out of pins.
“No one grasped how quickly this idea would catch on in British Columbia,” said McCullough. “It was enormously successful.”
The pin was created because it was more economical than the cut flowers and bulbs the society sold in the past.
Canvassers from the society are already out knocking at people’s doors trying to raise money for research and support programs. Last year’s campaign raised $82,300 and this year’s goal is $75,000.
Money raised from the national door-to-door campaign and daffodil pin sales goes toward research and support programs for cancer patients and their families. In 2009 the Canadian Cancer society allocated $49.4 million to cancer research, said McCullough.
Money raised is also distributed to cancer units. It helps the Nanaimo unit, which is completely volunteer run, offer services and support programs.
“This is quite a remarkable unit in terms of what we do in the community,” said McCullough. “We love when people come into the office.”
Cancer patients can access wigs from the office, information workshops and support programs. It also provides transportation for people to get to cancer treatment appointments in Nanaimo and partners with the Freemasons Cancer Car Program to offer transportation in Victoria and Vancouver.
People can drop off donations at the Nanaimo until, located at Unit E, 777 Poplar St. or go to www.cancer.ca. Pins will be available at various locations across Nanaimo.
reporter3@nanaimobulletin.com