Cancer Society staff and volunteers are preparing for New Zealand's largest fundraising street appeal: Daffodil Day on Friday, August 28.

This year Daffodil Day is especially significant.

This year marks 30 years of Daffodil Day in New Zealand. That's 30 years of communities coming together to raise much-needed funds to support people impacted by cancer.

Many New Zealanders have faced cancer over that time. And many more have supported friends or whānau with cancer.

Volunteers have driven hundreds of thousands of kilometres to get people to treatment.

The Cancer Society's Lions Lodge in Hamilton has welcomed thousands of guests, and supportive care nurses have been there for people living with cancer in communities across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region.

In 1990, there were 11,942 people diagnosed with cancer. By the end of 2020 it's estimated more than 26,000 New Zealanders will be diagnosed with cancer each year.

With demand for services increasing, Waikato/Bay of Plenty chief executive Shelley Campbell says the need for the Cancer Society is greater than ever.

'Your support this Daffodil Day will make a direct and positive difference in the life of someone facing a cancer diagnosis, providing practical and meaningful assistance when they need it most,” says Campbell.

'Every dollar raised will not only help provide free support for people with cancer and their whānau, but also allow us to fund vital cancer research and deliver health promotion activities to reduce the risk of cancer for future generations.”

ANZ has been a major sponsor of the Cancer Society since 1990 and the principal sponsor of Daffodil Day, raising around $1 million a year.

ANZ staff get involved in fundraising activities with the money raised within each region going to their local Cancer Society.

Donate or volunteer in support of Daffodil Day at www.daffodilday.org.nz.

Donations can be also made at any ANZ branch during August, or during the street appeal on Friday, August 28.

Look out for the QR code at collection sites to make a contactless donation online.