On behalf of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Division of the Cancer Society New Zealand, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the people of this region who supported our annual fundraising and awareness campaign, Daffodil Day.

While the funds are still trickling in, we are pleased to report that as a result of your generosity we are likely to raise in excess of $600,000 this year which is a fantastic result and made possible through your support.

The 24th annual Daffodil Day, on Friday, August 29, was met with tremendous support as hundreds of volunteers stood at collection sites or pounded the pavement collecting donations across the region.

The involvement of these volunteers, school kids, parents, grandparents, businesses and the general public made Daffodil Day the successful community event it is known for. Whether you purchased daffodils or fundraised on our behalf, we thank you, we couldn't have done it without you.

Money raised from Daffodil Day stays in the region where it was donated and goes towards providing supportive care for people with cancer, their whanau and friends, funding vital cancer research and providing information and health promotion programmes on how to reduce your risk of cancer through living a smoke free, SunSmart, healthy lifestyle.

It will also fund the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge which provides free accommodation, meals and support for the hundreds of people who have to travel to receive cancer treatment at the Waikato Regional Cancer Centre each year.

Judy Gould
chief executive.