For 40 years, the Cancer Council has been offering hope, support and funds for life-changing research for cancer patients.
In 1986, Cancer Council held their first Daffodil Day; a day to inspire, reflect, remember and educate the Australian populace about cancer awareness and research.
Back then, the five-year cancer survival rate fell at approximately 46 percent. Now, 40 years later, survival rates fall at 72 percent. This is due to improved prevention, early detection and treatment.
In 2025 alone, Australians raised more than five million dollars on Daffodil Day, which went towards researching a cure to the disease.
Over the 2025 year, 63,814 fundraisers and donors were acknowledged, and $47.3 million was invested into cancer research.
In Australia alone, almost one in two people will face a cancer diagnosis, whether that is through themselves, family or friends.
Held annually on 20 August, Daffodil Day continues to be one of the Cancer Council’s largest fundraisers and has become a much-loved establishment to each year’s calendar.
Across Gundagai, locals opened their pockets, hearts and took the plunge for Daffodil Day.
Partaking in the Daffodil Day Dip on August 8 at Stoney’s Beach, Sue Weeden, Lesley Kingwill, Luisa Deacon and Maxine Rose made quite a splash for this year’s Daffodil Day, raising $4,969.48 for the cause.
96 percent of the funds raised goes directly towards research for a better, cancer-free future.
Gundagai SES attended on the day to ensure the daring ladies were safe as they “frolicked in the Murrumbidgee River”.
Lesley Kingwill, one of the incredible women who took the plunge, says she didn’t need to think twice about doing it after Sue mentioned she was planning to take a dip in the Murrumbidgee for cancer research.
“I didn’t need to think about it I knew I was all in,” she says.
“Having close connections to cancer through family and friends, witnessing the suffering of the person with cancer and the impact of those close to them, makes you very aware of the importance for research.”
Ensuring research is continued into finding cures, improving medications and establishing an overarching cause for different cancers forms part of Lesley’s “why” for participating in the Dip, and she says it is incredibly important that the conversation is had in community’s both big and small.
“The statistics of one in two people being diagnosed by the age of 85 is staggering,” says Lesley.
“You look about you and those you love and wonder where that sword is going to fall.
“Research is vital to changing those statistics.”
As for the dip itself, Lesley says she couldn’t recommend it enough.
“If it takes you doing something ‘out there’ to get donations happening, then do it,” she says.
“My WHY is to help negate the suffering of those afflicted and to ease the pain their loved ones go through watching, feeling helpless.”
Thankful for the continuous community support Lesley and their team have garnered, she says she couldn’t be more appreciative.
“We live in a very supportive community, people are always looking out for one another and helping where they can,” she says.
“The community shows tremendous support to CanAssist. It is vital in helping our locals navigate their cancer journey.”
The ladies’ Daffodil Day Dip follows Kristen Bartlett’s recent walk to raise funds for brain cancer.
Everyday acts by extraordinary individuals support continued research for a disease that steals too much from those around us.
“One in two, it makes you think,” says Lesley.
Elizabeth Kovacs
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