Charity’s true impact revealed when its help is needed
DAFFODIL Day impacts you in a very different way when you become the recipient of the services it is fundraising for, one cancer patient says.
The Cancer Society had volunteers stationed at many Dunedin street corners yesterday collecting donations and selling bundles of brightly coloured fresh daffodils as part of their annual Daffodil Day fundraiser. In a back room at the Cancer Society office on Thursday, about 42,000 daffodils lay ready to hit the streets.
The funds raised go towards supporting cancer patients and their families with services such as a free driving service, specialist nursing and psychology support and accommodation for those needing lifesaving treatment far from home.
David Christie is in the midst of a block of radiation therapy for colon cancer.
‘‘I know of different charities out there and have contributed to them, but it’s not until you end up involved you realise all they truly do, and it impacts you a bit more.’’
He usually lived in Gore, but travelling to Dunedin Hospital multiple times a week made the day all about the treatment, rather than just part of the day. After spending the weekend at home, Mr Christie came back to the Daffodil House on Monday for a week of radiation treatment, and said the support made all the difference.
‘‘I’m in a bit of uncharted territory with all this and I don’t know quite how I’m going to cope with it, but I think everybody’s like that.
‘‘I was actually quite overwhelmed with the support from Daffodil House to be honest — they might have to eventually kick me out.’’
He said the care he received at Daffodil House extended far beyond his health, such as making sure the 96yearold uncle he lived with was also cared for.
‘‘I’ve also learnt a lot about daffodils since being here too . . . they say if you put some food colouring in the water they change to that colour — maybe people could try that with their daffodils.’’
Southern Cancer Society events manager Emma Anderson said while the final amount of money raised would not be known for a few weeks, the fresh daffodils were sold out.
‘‘We got more daffodils than last year, so that indicates we probably sold more, too.’’ Cancer Society bucketshakers would be back out at local supermarkets and the Otago Farmers Market for a final push for donations today, she said.