Please support daffodil day

I wanted to make sure all WA Style readers are aware tomorrow is Daffodil Day. This is a charity day very close to my own heart as like most Australians I have both family members and friends who have been touched by this horrible disease. I also had a skin cancer scare myself earlier this year - I was lucky mine was a false alarm but many others aren't so lucky.

Did you know one in every two Australian men and one in three Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85? Scary statistics. 

The most important thing we can all do, is support cancer research to find better treatment and potentially a cure for this terrible and terrifying disease.

If you want to support this worthy cause you can buy merchandise from Coles or one of many volunteer stands around Perth today and tomorrow. If you want to know more you can visit www.daffodilday.com.au  

Daffodil Day fast facts

• The largest national fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, Daffodil Day raises essential funds for cancer research, education and support programs.
• The daffodil is the international symbol of hope for all touched by cancer.
• This year Daffodil Day is aiming to raise over $9 million to fund the cancer control initiatives, patient support and education services of Cancer Council's eight state and territory member organisations.
• More than 10,000 volunteers are expected to staff over 1,200 Daffodil Day sites across Australia.

Cancer facts and figures

• Cancer remains one of Australia's biggest health problems. An estimated 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
• An estimated 111,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia in 2009.
• More than 60% of cancer patients will survive more than five years after diagnosis
• The survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two decades.
• The most common cancers in Australia (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) are prostate, colorectal (bowel), breast, melanoma and lung cancer.
• Each year, around 434,000 people are treated for non-melanoma skin cancer (the most frequently occuring cancer in Australia, but the least life-threatening).
• Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia – more than 42,000 people are expected to die from cancer in 2009.
• Cancer costs $3.8 billion in direct health system costs (7.2%).