A Daffodil Campaign like no other

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April is Daffodil Month, when Canadians traditionally rally together to support and remember those affected by cancer.

But this year the far reaching COVID-19 health crisis is impacting people across Canada and around the world, and with more than one million Canadians living with – and beyond – cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society wants to support them and minimize today’s stress and uncertainty that adds to the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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To honour social distancing measures, for the first time ever Canadian Cancer Society has suspended all face-to-face fundraising activities across the country until the end of the summer, asking nearly 30,000 people who would typically be involved in fundraising this month and in the coming months to stay home.

GREAT RIDE N STRIDE

In Oxford County, this includes the postponement of the Daffodil Campaign and daffodil pin sales; the annual door-to-door campaign; three Great Ride ‘n’ Stride events, including the April Ride n Stride in Tillsonburg which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year; as well as Relay For Life, resulting in a significant estimated drop in donations during a time when over $407,000 was planned to be raised to support Canadians affected by cancer.

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Communities across the country and here in Oxford County are still able to help.

Teaming up with family and friends to host online fundraisers – or donating to online fundraisers – is a great way to come together and support the Canadian Cancer Society’s life-saving work while physical distancing keeps us apart, said Nancy McFadden, Community Office Manager in a media release.

On the Great Ride ‘n Stride event page it says, “Wherever possible, we will be looking toward June or later to reschedule our events. If you are involved in or have registered for Great Ride ‘n’ Stride Tillsonburg, we will be in touch with further detail about how these activities will be resumed in future months.
“We encourage you to please continue to show your support. You can register and fundraise online to raise funds for our critically needed activities. Thank you.”

Email Hailey Parliament (hailey.parliament@ontario.cancer.ca) for more information.

The annual Spring Yard Clean Up for Cancer is shifting its support for the Canadian Cancer Society online. This Oxford County event has raised over $1 million in 10 years of organizing one day in spring to clean yards with volunteers, sponsors, donors and community members raising funds for cancer research. This year, the organizing team shifted the event to an online fundraiser that is currently accepting donations at cancerfighter.ca.

Donations are also being accepted online as Canadians are encouraged to create a digital daffodil – a virtual badge to print or share through social networks to spread positivity and hope for those living with cancer during COVID-19.

“This sunny symbol is more relevant than ever right now as we all need to join together and look ahead to brighter days.”

CCS also looks forward to a national social distan-SING-athon partnership with Choir! Choir! Choir! on April 11 to bring hope and support for those affected by cancer into homes across the country utilizing Facebook and Youtube.

“While we have lost the opportunity to come together in person to support people with cancer, there is much we can do virtually to keep the spirit of hope alive and show our support during this Daffodil Campaign like no other.”