With one in every two Australians diagnosed with cancer by 85, cancer is a disease which touches all lives. Young and old, rich and poor, cancer doesn’t discriminate. It’s our own personal experiences that make Daffodil Day a day for all of us.
Below are the experiences of some well known Australians. We thank them for their generosity and sincerely appreciate their support for Daffodil Day in 2010.
Shaun Micallef
My mother always said that if you can't say anything good about someone or something then don't say anything at all. That doesn't work with cancer. The more you don't talk about it, the less it goes away. The more we talk about it, the more chance there is of a cure being discovered - particularly if the people talking about it are doctors and scientists. If someone comes up to you with a daffodil and wants to talk about cancer - let them.
Buy a daffodil. Money talks.
Graham Ross
Having spent virtually every day of my life in the garden since about 6 or 7 years of age, 50 years later I was a sitting duck to suffer from skin cancer. My GP 'burns' them off my face and hands every couple months, all because I didn't wear a hat, long sleeved shirts or apply sunscreen.
But I wasn't prepared when a skin specialist told me a few years ago, "I want you to see another specialist immediately", and found myself being operated on that afternoon. My lower lip was lasered off to remove a nasty cancer. I was gratefully back in front of the Better Homes and Gardens cameras in two months and I've used a SPF 15% lip balm and SPF 30% on my face and hands every day since.
I was lucky that time, but I never wait to see if a 'spot develops' now, I'm off to the GP in a flash.Cancer Council needs your support, they certainly have mine.
Anthony Warlow
I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed with lymphoma and, up to then, I thought I was invincible. Now, as a survivor, I cherish each day and am an earnest supporter of the wonderful work the Cancer Council does.
Daffodil Day is many things. It is like Remembrance Day for patients, family, friends. It is a time for celebration and gratitude for those who have survived and loving thoughts for those who did not. And it is the opportunity to reflect on how we can help. A Daffodil is a well chosen flower for this day. The bulb sits in the earth for the cold winter, then bursts forth with new life – a symbol of hope and colour and another life. A new beginning.
I would respectfully ask that Australians support this cause.
Alicia Malone
It's a sad fact that these days, cancer is a part of everyone's life, with one in two people developing the disease. Even sadder still is the fact that most types of cancer are preventable. I support the Cancer Council in their efforts to fund cancer research, support cancer patients and educate people on prevention.
Natarsha Belling
I am a passionate supporter of the Cancer Council because like millions of other Australians I have been personally touched by cancer. Cancer doesn't discriminate, it takes too many wonderful lives too soon and forever devastates their family and friends. Thankfully, I also know many who now proudly call themselves "cancer survivors". Their stories of courage and admirable determination have inspired me to fight for better services and support for other cancer sufferers, especially those in rural areas.
I am especially passionate about supporting Daffodil Day because the Daffodil is the international symbol of hope for people with cancer. A “hope” we all share, that our loved ones will survive cancer. But we also share a greater sense of hope that together we can fight this disease and find a cure, ensuring one day we will live in a cancer free world.
Frank Holden
Like many of us, I have been directly affected by cancer. My first wife Melda died in 1987 from a carcoma after a nine month battle, leaving me and my three daughters to grieve her too short life. My mother died from breast cancer on Valentine's Day 2007. Other members of my extended family and friends have also suffered and died from cancer. Daffodil Day is one way we can all contribute to finding cures for the various forms of cancer, and to show those that are affected that we as a community care and want to do all we can to assist those who have to face its threat head-on. I am proud to support this worthy cause and urge everyone to do so. It's a community threat and it needs a community response.