Cancer survivor shares her experience with Daffodil Month campaign

April is the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Month, and one woman speaks about being on both sides of the campaign.

As someone who has been a donor and a recipient, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month means a lot to Tiffany Clarke.

“I’ve seen the impact of cancer on family and friends, both those here and who have passed. I’ve experienced it, unfortunately, firsthand, and with the Daffodil campaign, those donations are going to help to make a future without cancer,” she says.

The annual campaign comes each April to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

“My husband and I, unfortunately, we’ve had many family members impacted by cancer,” she says.

So, at their wedding, they set out plaques on the tables instead of flowers or centerpieces. Those plaques indicated they’d made donations to the Cancer Society instead.

“Most of [the guests] were very happy about it, not having to bring little trinkets home as well, and it was very meaningful,” says Clarke.

Then, in November 2022, she was attending a follow-up treatment for her endometriosis when some of her scans came back abnormal.

“Within a week, I was in the hospital for the next seven months, a stint in the ICU, and at the Arthritis Rehabilitation Centre. I did have to learn to walk again, and then two years of chemotherapy after that for blood cancer, leukemia,” she says.

Looking back, she says she disregarded many of her symptoms as being stressed, tired and overworked.

“I know that those were, now, signs of cancer,” she says.

After seven months in the hospital and two years of treatment, Clarke says the costs kept rising and rising.

“A big cost is transportation to all the appointments, all the tests. So, the Canadian Cancer Society, through the Daffodil campaign, has the Travel Treatment Fund,” she says.

The fund helps to cover costs from taxis, buses, bridge tolls, and fuel for patients, caregivers, family and friends.

Clarke says it “really helps to take that stress off of you when you’re dealing with the stress of treatment itself.”

She emphasizes the significance of donating to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“They’re going to fund world-renowned research, supportive programs, and really make a difference. Right now, there’s 1.5 million Canadians living with or post cancer, so supporting the Daffodil Campaign is hopefully going to eliminate this for Canadians.”

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page