CHARLES TWEED/Ponoka News
The numbers are astonishing — this week more than 3,300 Canadians will be told they have cancer.
Daffodil Days took place March 31 to April 1 and on March 30 residents of Ponoka met at Sunrise Village and bought bunches of daffodils to show their solidarity in the fight against cancer.
Irene Rausch has seen first-hand the devastation cancer can have on our lives. Rausch’s son-in-law, Peter Maas, died at the age of 44 from cancer and left behind his wife, Darlene and five children.
“I don’t think there is a family who hasn’t been touched by cancer. It’s such a dreadful disease,” said Rausch. “That’s why it’s so important to show your support.”
Rausch admitted the disease took its toll on the people closest to Peter but that family and friends rallied to support each other through the process.
Lily month is the first fundraiser of the year for the cancer society said Nancy Kumm, co-ordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society.
“We offer support and information for people who have been affected by cancer. The money helps go towards funding our help line, where people can call and receive support as well as our wig program in Red Deer,” said Kumm. “Everyone is touched by it and that’s why we see so much support in the fight against it.”
The number of people diagnosed with cancer is staggering but the Canadian Cancer Society believes they can make a difference and reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer and those who are taken by the disease.
Kumm is asking everyone to wear the Canadian Cancer Society’s new daffodil pin for the month of April and make a donation that will help those living with the disease.
For more information on Daffodil Days or to volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, please visit www.cancer.ca