Daffodil Day is coming soon, the largest national fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, providing essential funds for cancer research, prevention and support programs. Through it, the Cancer Council aims to raise over $9 million.
The daffodil was chosen as the international symbol of ‘hope’ for those affected by cancer — it is the flower that traditionally heralds the return of spring, new life, vitality and growth.
Can cancer be prevented?
The American Institute for Cancer Research has come up with following three guidelines for ways to reduce your risk of getting cancer. While they all help, the greatest benefit comes from following all three. The bonus is that following the guidelines will also lessen your chances of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes.
1. Choose mostly plant foods, limit red meat and avoid processed meat Research has found most dietary patterns that are protective against cancer are plant-based. Eating more plant foods protects against cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and stomach, lung, prostate and colon/rectum. This is because plant foods are high in vitamins, minerals and fibre, low in kilojoules and naturally contain a mixture of phytonutrients (not found in animal foods), which have remarkable ways of preventing or interrupting the progression of cancer.
2. Be physically active 30 minutes a day (or more) During the past decade, it has become clearer that physical activity protects against cancers, specifically colon cancer, breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Physical activity reduces levels of the hormone that increase the risk for these types of cancers. Physical activity also “exercises” the gut, moving the body’s waste and toxins through more rapidly.
3. Aim to be a healthy weight throughout your life Alarmingly, the rates of obesity and weight problems have doubled in many high-income countries in the past 15 years. In Australia, almost two-thirds of men and almost half of all women are overweight or obese, and in New Zealand around half of all men and women are overweight or obese. Maintenance of a healthy weight throughout your life may be the single most important way to protect yourself against cancer as well as other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Daffodil Day takes place on Friday 27 August.
Merchandise is on sale throughout August.
This year’s range includes tax deductible donation cards, new key rings, our ever-popular pens, soccer balls, diamante’s, this year’s collectable Dougal Bear decked out in a funky yellow hoodie and of course bunches of fresh daffodils.
Schools can also get involved and receive a Dress Yellow for Daffodil Day kit, or register to sell Daffodil Day merchandise.
Visit www.daffodilday.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85 to register or donate.
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