Canberra will turn yellow on Thursday, 20 August, as Cancer Council ACT celebrates the 40th anniversary of Daffodil Day, Australia’s most recognised cancer fundraiser and a campaign that has united Canberrans in the fight against cancer. Since the first Daffodil Day in 1986, the daffodil has stood as the national symbol of hope for the one in two Australians who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Forty years on, the campaign remains as a powerful symbol of hope, resilience and progress with every dollar raised in the ACT funding world-class research by Canberra-based scientists and clinicians. This year, Cancer Council ACT awarded $200,000 in grants to two local researchers, Dr Vijay Bhooaplan and Professor Nicole Freene, supporting work that aims to improve cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes. Cancer Council ACT CEO Verity Hawkins said the milestone anniversary is a chance to celebrate the generosity of our community while fuelling the next wave of breakthroughs.

“For 40 years, Daffodil Day has given our community a way to stand together against cancer. Every bunch of daffodils sold, every yellow morning tea, every cold dip, and every dollar donated funds vital research that is happening right now, right here in Canberra,” Ms Hawkins commented. “We’ve made remarkable progress over the past four decades, but there’s still more work to do. Daffodil Day reminds us that when our community comes together, we can help fund better treatments, better outcomes and more hope for families facing cancer.”

The impact of that community support has been extraordinary. In 1986, the five-year cancer survival rate was approximately 46 per cent. Today it has risen to 72 per cent, meaning nearly three out of four Australians diagnosed with cancer will survive at least five years after diagnosis. Across Australia, Cancer Council has invested more than $47.3 million in cancer research in recent years, funding more than 650 researchers annually, with more than 63,000 fundraisers and donors supporting Daffodil Day in 2025 alone. This August, Cancer Council ACT is inviting the community to wear yellow, buy a bunch of daffodils, host a fundraiser or make a donation to celebrate 40 years of Daffodil Day and ensure its legacy continues by funding the next generation of life-saving cancer research. 

Ways to get involved this Daffodil Day:

• Buy a bunch of daffodils.

Fresh daffodils and merchandise will be available from Cancer Council ACT stalls across Canberra on Thursday 20 August.

• Host a fundraiser.

Wear yellow at work, hold a morning tea, run a raffle, there are many ways you can host! Every fundraiser, big or small, helps.

• Take the plunge.

Join the Daffodil Day Dip and brave the cold at Lake Burley Griffin, your local pool, or an ice bath.

• Donate.

It’s always a good time to donate. Give directly to help fund vital local cancer research.