PĀNUI
NEWS
Daffodil Day 2025: Supporting research is supporting whānau!
28 / 08 / 2025
Daffodil Day is one of the most recognised fundraising events in Aotearoa, but it’s more than a symbol or a badge, it’s about uniting as a country to demand a future free from cancer.
"Many of us wear our daffodil in remembrance, of a journey we’ve been on or travelled with a loved one. Others wear it in solidarity. It signals hope. But behind the daffodil is a big job. And right now, I feel a real sense of urgency,” says Cancer Society Chief Executive, Rachael Coom.
With 1 in 3 New Zealanders expected to face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, the Cancer Society continues to provide crucial wraparound support: transport to treatment, accommodation, reliable information, or simply someone who understands. Their teams are in communities across Aotearoa, stepping in when cancer turns a family’s life upside down.
Here in Ōtautahi and across Te Waipounamu, this vision is strengthened through the collaboration between the Southern Cancer Society and services like our Wāhine Ora screening programme. By working together, we’re helping wāhine overcome barriers to accessing life-saving checks, earlier detection, and culturally safe care. This mahi is about prevention, empowerment, and equity, ensuring whānau are supported at every stage.
Support is only one part of the picture. The Cancer Society is also New Zealand’s largest private funder of cancer research, investing over $50 million in the last decade.
Early detection is a game changer. The Cancer Society continues to push for lung cancer screening and a lower bowel screening age of 50, changes that could save lives. In the meantime, services like Wāhine Ora are already making a difference by supporting wāhine Māori and Pasifika to access screening now, reducing inequities and improving outcomes.
Prevention is just as critical. Around 30–50% of cancers are considered preventable, which is why education and advocacy remain a cornerstone of Daffodil Day.
Funds raised help the Cancer Society continue to educate communities on lifestyle factors, advocate for healthier environments, and drive change at a policy level.
Daffodil Day itself is Friday 29 August, with collections also happening Thursday 28 and Saturday 30 in some centres.
Donations can be made online at daffodilday.org.nz or at any ANZ branch, the Cancer Society’s major sponsor.
Every daffodil worn, every dollar given, and every kōrero shared brings us one step closer to a future where no whānau has to face cancer alone.
