Helping on Daffodil Day

Umina Beach resident Ms Vicki White has answered the Cancer Council's call for volunteers to take part in this year's Daffodil Day.

Ms White will be at Deepwater Plaza on Friday, August 28, raising funds and selling daffodils for the Cancer Council.

Daffodil Day raises funds for cancer research, prevention and support services through selling daffodils and other items promoting the fight against cancer.

Ms White, 49, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and as a single mother with children found the support from the Cancer Council invaluable.

"The Cancer Council has been wonderful," Ms White said.

"It can be very difficult resuming a normal life and living with your diagnosis."

Vicki's cancer was an aggressive kind and she required both radiotherapy and chemotherapy to fight the tumour.

During the same year Vicki's mother was diagnosed with cancer.

Ms White said that, without the Cancer Council's support in caring for her children during her therapy, life would have been impossible.

"Everybody is touched by cancer," Ms White said.

"One day, it could well be you. It's an ongoing battle.

"We've still got a long way to go with cancer research and we need funds to continue that research.

"I help as much as I can with the Cancer Council who in turn helps people like me.

"The main reason I do it is to make a difference."

In 2008 stalls at Deepwater Plaza raised $4000 for Daffodil Day and Ms White hopes they can achieve the same result this year.

Apart from Daffodil Day Ms White also helps on Pink Ribbon Day, helps organise the Peninsula Relay for Life and through her training with the Cancer Council is setting up a cancer support group at Gosford Hospital.

Community relations coordinator at the Cancer Council's Central Coast office Ms Lesley Chart said the fundraising on Daffodil Day directly benefited people on the Central Coast.

"In our own region, Cancer Council is helping fund cancer support groups, Sunsmart programs, transport for cancer patients and community advocacy for a public radiotherapy unit," Ms Chart said.

Kevin Holloway, 7 July 2009 Interviewee: Vicki White Press Release, 29 July 2009 Lesley Chart, Community Relations Coordinator Cancer Council NSW, Central Coast Region