IN the lead-up to Daffodil Day on August 24, journalist Nadine Morton is looking at the subject of cancer in our city – from the support services available for patients to the volunteers who offer love and compassion to those fighting the disease. This is the final part in a six-week series.
A CANCER diagnosis may have left Debbie Lynch-Benham feeling helpless, but she soon turned the situation into an opportunity.
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A few years ago one of her close family members was diagnosed with cancer and Ms Lynch-Benham said it “really touched home that there was nothing that I could do”.
“The doctors were there and the nurses and I felt helpless and I thought ‘what can I do’,” she said.
A friend then suggested that she help out on Daffodil Day, and Ms Lynch-Benham has “been doing it ever since”.
This year marks the 23rd year that she has put on her Daffodil Day volunteers outfit, grabbed her stash of merchandise and headed out to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
“It’s good in many ways. Apart from the fact that you’re raising money for a great cause, you actually get to hear all the stories of the people who come in – some good some bad – but they look forward to seeing that face again every year to tell their story and where they’re up to,” she said.
You actually get to hear all the stories of the people who come in – some good some bad.
- Daffodil Day volunteer Debbie Lynch-Benham
Ms Lynch-Benham has also used her role as as Daffodil Day volunteer to spend time with her daughters who would also help out on the day.
“Two of them have moved away now, but they still try and come back for Daffodil Day,” she said.
“It’s been really family friendly and we’ve involved a couple of other families now that have come along as well.
“Sometimes it’s nice just to see someone who didn’t think they’d be here that is still here and still fighting. To hear that they’ve succeeded through whatever means, it makes you feel like you’ve actually contributed to help out somehow.”
In her time as a volunteer, Ms Lynch-Benham said she has found the community to be very supportive of the Cancer Council and keen to make a donation or buy merchandise.
“Some people ask ‘why daffodils’ and that’s because they are the international symbol for hope,” she said.
“I think everyone’s got a story and everyone knows someone so everyone’s quite open … people are quite generous.”
For anyone keen to support Daffodil Day and those going through treatment for cancer, there will be a range of merchandise on sale, including keyrings, pens, pins, teddy bears and fresh daffodils. Prices start at $3.
All funds raised go to help support people during and after treatment, as well as their carers.
“It gets distributed, the money, all over it’s not just one specific thing,” Ms Lynch-Benham said.
“Everyone benefits which is what I like about Daffodil Day cause it’s all aspects of the Cancer Council, not just for breast cancer or for prostate cancer, it’s cancer in general.”
Daffodil Day is this Friday, August 24 and a number of Cancer Council volunteers will be selling merchandise across the city, with dedicated stalls to be located in Bathurst City Centre and Stockland Bathurst.
Daffodil Day series
Feel free to flick back through some of the earlier stories from our Daffodil Day series.
- Week #1 – Daffodil Cottage Wig Library’s here to help
- Week #1 – Daffodil Cottage Wig Library: A patient’s experience
- Week #2 – Radiation Bus is a lot more than just transport
- Week #2 – Volunteer driver’s helping hand for patients in need
- Week #3 – Breast care nurse leads support for patients
- Week #3 – Men, it’s time to take responsibility for your health: Prostate cancer group
- Week #4 – Daffodil Cottage’s specialists are on hand to help
- Week #4 – As time went on, Daffodil Cottage became my safe place
- Week #5 – I am told there is no cure, but I have it under control and I’m in a good place: Patient
- Week #5 – Enrich program helps people after cancer treatment