Daffodils are a flower that have been symbolically linked to the fight against cancer for many years, now. Representing “hope” in the language of flowers, they stand for all the efforts of communities and volunteer groups in the search for a cure.
As such, Daffodil Day is a day when we’re reminded of all that hard work and research, and encouraged to do what we can to help it. From selling those all-important daffodils to raising awareness in the community of fundraising efforts, it’s a day for everyone to lend their help to a very important cause.
As the first flower to bloom in Spring, daffodils quickly became a symbol of hope when cancer societies started using the flower in the 1950s. The image became iconic, forever tied to the efforts of volunteers, researchers, and those who wanted to raise awareness ever since.
After they were first used, daffodils became the logo of cancer societies and volunteering groups around the world. Since the 1950s, we have learned more and more about the disease, including the fact that nearly 4 in 10 people will have a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
As such, cancer societies and awareness groups grew as we learned how to both prevent and detect cancer. From self-examinations to avoiding risks like exposing skin directly to sunlight, Daffodil Days have played an important role in helping people understand the threat of cancer and what they can do to fight it.
Daffodil Day has also grown to become an important fundraising day for cancer societies around the globe. Funds are raised for all kinds of purposes, to contribute to cancer research, to ensure that those diagnosed with it have resources and support groups to help them live with it, and to help cancer societies spread their message even further.
Nowadays, Daffodil Days happen around the world, often in conjunction with the first bloom of those flowers that have become so emblematic of the fight.