Cancer Society

Next Saturday, at a time most people are tucked up in bed, Peter Donaldson will be leaving Christchurch on a commuter scooter, hoping to reach Hokitika before the sun sets.

During the next five weeks, a travelling quiz night will be held at venues throughout Otago and Southland to raise money for the Cancer Society.

A pilot programme for Dunedin cancer survivors which begins next month is expected to lead to an Otago-Southland service within the next two or three years.

Daffodil Day means pikelet day in Wanaka, where once a year for the past 20 years, a spatula-wielding army of volunteers has made cream-topped morning tea shouts to raise money for the Cancer Society.

Today marks the 21st annual Daffodil Day, raising money for the New Zealand Cancer Society, to support patients, their families and raise funds to find new treatments and possible cures. The first Daffodil Day was held in 1990 in the Wellington and Central District regions - it is now marked in every town and city in New Zealand.

A pilot scheme to help Dunedin cancer sufferers move on after their illness could be a model for others, programme developer Dr Sue Walthert says.

The Cancer Society fears the effect on cancer sufferers if Dunedin loses neurosurgery.

The Cancer Society is remaining tight-lipped about the departure of Otago/Southland division chief executive Wendy Houliston.

Some of the proceeds from the inaugural Central Otago Relay for Life have been used to employ a health promotion co-ordinator, who started in the role last week.