It’s beginning to look like a garden of daffodils around town with supporters sporting yellow flower pins in the fight against cancer.
The first flower of spring, with its bright, cheerful blossom has become synonymous with activities of the Canadian Cancer Society and the support it brings to families facing a cancer journey.
Hope and support will be even more evident in downtown Trail today with a first-time celebration at the Home of the Champions monument in front of Kootenay Savings Credit Union.
In celebration of Daffodil Day, the event will give residents the opportunity to further demonstrate their support for those who’ve battled cancer.
Residents are encouraged to come down to the monument at noon, where a banner can be signed, all while enjoying a slice of cake.
“The symbolism behind the pin is to raise awareness and to let people, who are fighting or those who have survived cancer, know that they’re not alone and they’re supported,” said Tara Kowalchuk, revenue development coordinator for the Kootenay region.
The celebration will wrap up the cancer society’s annual daffodil drive, which included fundraising initiatives like selling fresh daffodils, pins and a door-to-door campaign.
The majority of donations go toward research but funding from the provincial pot is also dispensed to community programs.
The Kootenay branch located in Trail offers financial support to help cover travel and lodging expenses for those commuting for treatment; helps runs a cancer information service line, a place where resident can find out up-to-minute information on cancer; and cancer connection, a support program that connects cancer patients with
survivors who went through a similar journey.
The office, located in the Gulch beside Gerick Cycle and Sports, also has a wig room for those who have lost their hair from chemotherapy treatment.
The society will shift its focus to the Relay for Life in May. The annual relay gives Greater Trail the opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, remember and honour loved ones lost to cancer and fight back against all cancers.
“It’s awesome to see all the volunteers, the survivors, and all the people I meet through this initiative and the youth involved, it’s just exceptional,” said Suzanne Belanger, volunteer event coordinator.
Belanger started volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society 15 years ago when she saw how much her sister-in-law benefited from the society’s financial assistance.
The event on May 28 already has 28 teams signed up but is reaching for a target of 30 or more.
Residents interested in participating or volunteering in the relay at Haley Park are asked to contact the Trail office at 364-0403.
Registration or donations can be made online at www.relayforlife.ca