Give generously on Daffodil Day

The daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring, whose bright yellow blooms remind us of the joys the new season will bring. It also represents hope for the 1 in 3 New Zealanders affected by cancer.

Daffodil Day (Friday 27th August 2021) is a major funding source for the Cancer Society, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer in New Zealand.

You can help by volunteering as a Daffodil Day collector in the Canterbury-West Coast region. Over 8,000 collectors are needed nationwide to ensure Daffodil Day is a success.

• Find out more about Daffodil Day.

Ways you can donate to Daffodil Day

1. Make a cash donation to an official street collector on Daffodil Day in exchange for a daffodil or other merchandise;
2. Make a cash donation at any ANZ Bank branch; or
3. Donate with your credit card using a secure online donation form.

How your Daffodil Day donations make a difference

Your donations will go towards vital scientific research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, education and awareness campaigns or programmes for people affected by cancer in your area.

There are many ways a donation makes a difference for people with cancer:

• $10 provides people affected by cancer with important support and information resources;
• $20 contributes to the free Cancer Information Helpline – 0800 CANCER (0800 226 237);
• $35 provides safe trasnport for cancer patients to get to hospital appointments;
• $50 providess counselling and support to people affected by cancer;
• $100 helps make schools SunSmart and our communities Smokefree;
• $150 provides accommodation for those undergoing cancer treatment away from home; and
• $500 helps fund ground-breaking research into new and better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer.

Any donation will make a difference in the life of someone living with cancer – no matter how large or small.

• Find out more about the services provided by the Cancer Society NZ.

Source: Daffodil Day website.

Celebrating breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week (1st to 7th August 2021) focuses on how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of all, and the imperative to protect breastfeeding worldwide.

A public health approach to breastfeeding is a vital part of protecting and supporting breastfeeding – through collaboration to create a multi-sectorial breastfeeding-friendly environment. Sub-optimal breastfeeding practices are a public health issue requiring effort and investment by society.

Global breastfeeding rates remain low with only 43 percent of newborns initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth and 41 percent of infants under six months of age exclusively breastfed. Approximately 70 percent of women continue to breastfeed for at least one year, but breastfeeding rates decline to 45 percent at two years of age.

Breastfeeding is an important element in global health

The world’s leaders committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015. These goals are aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity. Breastfeeding is linked in several ways to all these goals, including:

• Being a natural and low-cost way of feeding babies and children;
• Providing high quality nutrients and adequate energy and can help prevent hunger, undernutrition and obesity;
• Providing all the water a baby needs, even in hot weather. Formula feeding requires access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation;
• Safeguarding infant health and nutrition in times of adversity or emergencies such as pandemics and weather-related disasters;
• Support by society of mothers and parents to breastfeed optimally, and to be in control of how they feed their baby – to give every child a fair and best start in life; and
• Supporting breastfeeding mothers who work outside the home to manage challenges, such as having crèches near the workplace, lactation rooms and breastfeeding breaks.

Breastfeeding is a climate-smart solution that contributes positively towards planetary health as it is sustainable, ecological and good for human health.

Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby

Breast milk is a natural, renewable food that is produced and delivered without pollution, packaging or waste. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby because:

• it’s all that your baby needs to eat and drink for about the first 6 months;
• it helps to protect your baby against colds, tummy bugs, infections and allergies; and
• it helps your baby to feel safe and secure.

• Download or read information on feeding your baby or toddler.
• Download or read tips on breastfeeding your baby – available in Te Reo Māori, Pacific and migrant languages.

Breast milk is especially important for premature and critically ill babies. The Christchurch Human Milk Bank helps mothers who are unable to provide their babies with enough milk due to maternal illness, medication or low milk supply.

• Find out about the Christchurch’s Human Milk Bank.

Breastfeeding is perfect for mothers too

Breastfeeding is perfect for you too because:

• it gives you a chance to rest while you are feeding your baby,
• it helps you to feel close to your baby,
• it saves you time,
• it’s free, and
• it may reduce your risk of some cancers and bone disease.

Direct breastfeeding and expression of breastmilk are efficient in terms of reducing waste and saving energy and other resources. Using a breast pump to express milk is better for the environment compared with breast milk substitutes (BMS) even with the additional reusable equipment.

All women and parents can benefit from many different kinds of breastfeeding support – from their families, communities, health systems and workplaces. Breastfeeding counselling provided by health workers aims to empower women and parents to breastfeed, while respecting their personal situations and wishes. It includes listening, empathising, building confidence, giving practical information and suggestions and letting women or parents decide what is best for them.

• Find out more about breastfeeding on the Ministry of Health website.
• Download or read healthy eating information for breastfeeding women.

Source: World Breastfeeding Week website.

Support cancer patients in your region this Dry July

Almost 2,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer each month. Dry July encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of July to create a better life for people affected by cancer including families and carers.

Having a month off alcohol also has great health benefits, such as sleeping better, having more energy and of course, no hangovers! So you’re not only helping others, you’re helping yourself. It’s a win-win!

• Sign up to Dry July.
• Donate to support a DJ (Dry.July.er) or to the Dry July NZ Trust.

Dry July raises funds to help improve the comfort, care and wellbeing of New Zealanders affected by cancer. Funds in 2021 will support:

• Look Good Feel Better – providing workshops for those with appearance related side-effects of cancer;
• Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ – implementing the Prost-FITT program in multiple locations across NZ for men affected by prostate cancer;
• Bowel Cancer NZ – providing telephone support from a specialist bowel cancer nurse; and
• PINC & STEEL NZ – helping people affected by cancer through physical rehabilitation.

Top tips for going Dry this July

• Donate to yourself to show others you’re committed.
• Create a team with friends, family or work mates. Strength in numbers is key.
• Focus on the cause to keep you strong.
• Change your diet and increase your exercise routine to get the maximum benefit.
• Don’t be shy about your Dry July! Tell everyone you know you’ve signed up to Dry July. That way when you start to receive donations you have to commit and can’t back out.
• It’s ok to ask for support more than once. People can get busy or simply forget to donate, so don’t hesitate to follow up with people and remind them to make a donation. You could post updates throughout the month to explain why you’re taking part and that the donation is going to a great cause.
• Be the Designated Dryver to your mates… and get them to donate to your taxi service.

• The Dry July NZ website has helpful information to support DJs.
• Follow Dry July NZ on Facebook.

Source: Dry July NZ website.