Volunteers will be selling daffodil pins across the region during the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Month
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First it was colon, then prostate and bladder cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Shelby Ludington understands the devastation that goes along with a cancer diagnosis in a family member.
Her grandfather Ron Ludington, 82, first diagnosed in 2004, has survived three bouts of the disease.
“He has won every single fight,” Ludington said. “He participates in the survivor walk (at Relay for Life) every year and he does it with a smile.”
Ludington began volunteering with the society in 2007 after her parents Craig and Brenda Ludington became members of the Relay for Life committee.
Prior to that she also was participant in Relay as a member of the Woodstock Print and Litho Copy Cats.
During the month of April volunteers like Ludington, alongside community fundraising specialist Hailey Parliament, will be selling daffodil pins.
They will be canvassing door-to-door, and local businesses will have daffodil pins available in communities throughout Oxford County including Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Norwich, Embro, and Thamesford.
“Daffodils have become a symbol of hope and life,” Parliament said. “It’s the first flower to bloom every year.”
Money raised will go towards funding cancer research and support services such as our Wheels of Hope Transportation Service, and Cancer Information and Service phone line which helps local patients and their families during a difficult time.
“Cancer research is super important,” Ludington said. “Cancer affects everyone. One in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
“If we continue to volunteer out time and raise funds, it will help us win the battle.”
During the campaign residents of Oxford County can make a donation and wear a daffodil pin as a sign of their commitment to the fight against cancer.
Visit cancer.ca/daffodil to learn more, sign-up to be a volunteer, and donate online.
A flag-raising scheduled to recognize Daffodil Month takes place at Woodstock City Hall at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.