Big bite: Maya Molon from Lancaster tucks into a scone with jam and cream at the Kyabram Town Hall Daffodil Day fundraiser.
Retired Kyabram nurse Loretta Lilford was glowing in her praise of Kyabram District Health Service’s expanded cancer treatment service when she offered her opinion on the modern day facilities in the town at a Daffodil Day morning tea last week.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Mrs Lilford, who was among a hall filled with people who had a connection — professional or personal — to cancer, said it was a dream come true and wonderful that cancer sufferers could be supported in their own town.
“People used to tell us how they wished they could stay at home for their treatment, instead of having to travel to the city,” she said.
The brief but impactful message was delivered during an address by cancer sufferer Leonie Trevaskis and cancer resource nurse Lisa Priday.
Ms Trevaskis has worked at Kyabram District Health Service for 25 years.
She has a strong family history of cancer on both sides of her family, with breast cancer affecting two aunties, a cousin and a grandmother.
She also carries the BRCA2 gene, inherited from her father, further increasing the likelihood that she could face a cancer battle of the breast, ovaries or pancreas.
“The chances of me getting breast cancer were probably high,” she said.
Ms Trevaskis has used the internet and social media as an education tool, gleaning a variety of information from forums on Facebook involving women from throughout the country sharing their breast cancer stories.
Daffodil Day is a chance for Australians to come together and, for all that cancer takes, give something back.
In 2022, Daffodil Day raised about $2.5 million for lifesaving cancer research. Tragically, one in two people is affected by cancer in their lifetime.
While Daffodil Day fell on Thursday, August 31, events were held throughout the month.
To contact cancer resource nurse Lisa Priday, email lpriday@kyhealth.org.au or phone 5857 0298.
Petal power: Isla and Isabella Sherriff with some daffodils that were the centrepiece of the morning tea that recognised those suffering from cancer and those who had lost their battle with the disease.
Tea for three: Barbara Carlson, Loretta Lilford and Lesley Lowe at the Kyabram morning tea, which was one of thousands held throughout Australia to recognise the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day.
Coffee and cake: Margaret Smerdon, Marg Cocks and Helen Hearn enjoyed each other’s company at the Daffodil Day morning tea.
Flower power: Pat Marsicovetere, Dawn Booth and Vanessa Cross played a leading role in organising the Biggest Morning Tea event and sharing the Daffodil Day message of cancer survivors.
Mellow yellow: Enjoying the delights of the Biggest Morning Tea event at Kyabram Town Hall were Kathleen Hitchins, Joy Mitchell, Glen Pether, Lorraine Warren, Theresa Heenan and Jan Bayliss.
Spreading the message: Kyabram District Health Service cancer resource nurse Lisa Priday at the Daffodil Day fundraising event last Thursday.
