Cancer Council SA: Daffodil Day - 26 August 2016
The Cancer Council provides support and information services for all South Australian’s affected by cancer.
SAcommunity contacted the Cancer Council SA for their fundraiser Daffodil Day Friday 26 August to find out more about the campaign. They gave us Alex’s story, someone who has had their own experience with cancer and would like to encourage other people to support the day and join the fight to beat cancer.
Alex's Story
Alex Hathaway (82) has fought cancer for over 30 years. He will join the Jamestown locals this August when Daffodil Day rolls around, also acknowledging the 30th year that Australians have supported the event.
First diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 1981, Mr Hathaway underwent surgery to remove a tumour from the right side of his face. Through his entire ordeal however, he has remained positive. “The prognosis then was five to 25 years, well, I opted for the 25,” he said.
A farmer by trade, Mr Hathaway first sought medical attention after his wife, Janet noticed a lump on the side of his face. After a specialist appointment in Adelaide, an operation followed immediately to remove it. Then a series of x-rays and MRIs. Nothing was found so no further treatment was sought. A year on, another tumour was discovered in his groin, and another, a year after that in the same place.
He explains living with his disease. “They took the first one out but not this one. That’s the thing about Non-Hodgkin, it’s all in the lymphatic system. The gland can swell and appear to be cancerous and it will disappear again and come back again – luckily this one didn’t ever come back.” It was then in 2002 at 58 that Alex’s wife Janet was diagnosed with lung cancer and a tumour in the right lung was removed.
In the next few years, Janet’s fight continued. She was re-diagnosed with cancer in the bone and went through a “massive lot of chemotherapy” which the cancer didn’t respond to. After radiotherapy also failed to completely rid the cancer, Janet asked to stop treatment and enjoy the rest of her life.
Mr Hathaway nursed Janet as long as physically possible. “It was eventually too much for me so she was moved into hospital and I moved in with her. I slept in the same room. I nursed her in the hospital right up until she died. I was with her,” he said. Janet passed away on 19 July, 2004 at the age of 61.
Alex first came across Cancer Council when in Adelaide for treatment. He popped into the Greenhill Road shop and ended up speaking to a councillor (after Janet insisted) who helped him a lot with using meditation as a coping mechanism. He would also regularly see Cancer Council’s literature in his treatment facility. “When Janet died, I thought, I’m going to do something about this. I wanted to get something happening in Jamestown.”
After discussions with Cancer Council SA, Alex, along with Mrs. Lorraine Chalmers, (who lost her husband to cancer), formed a branch with a few volunteers and together they continue - to this day – to support the cancer fight. He also became involved in Relay For Life in 2005, is now a proud Ambassador and regular volunteer for the organisation.
In 2010 Alex was diagnosed with (and had surgery for) bowel cancer - after months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and subsequent check-ups he was given the all clear in July 2015.The Jamestown community will support Daffodil Day on Friday 26 August as they continue to do with all Cancer Council initiatives.
Supporting Cancer Council SA
Flowers and pins will be available from more than 600 Cancer Council SA volunteers at over 130 Daffodil Day stalls across the state this August. There are usually two stalls in Jamestown – at Foodland and in the main street (by the pharmacy).
In addition to flowers and pins, for the first time this year, people will be able to use their phone or head online to dedicate a virtual daffodil to someone they know. Selected dedications will then be chosen to feature in the marketing campaign.
All supporters need to do is text HOPE to 1999 8877 and a $5/sms* donation will automatically be incorporated into their mobile bill – a follow-up text message will enable people to personalise and share their daffodil dedication. Daffodil dedications will also be available via Facebook and on the Daffodil Day website (daffodilday.com.au).
Cancer Council SA Chief Executive, Lincoln Size, says Alex’s story is inspirational and admires his spirit and ongoing commitment to the cancer fight. “We thank Alex for sharing his story this Daffodil Day and for his amazing, long time, continued support of this organisation! “Every day, 25 South Australians will be diagnosed with cancer. But every day, every one of us can do something to make a difference for people of all ages affected by cancer,” Mr Size says.
“All of us know someone living with cancer and sadly many of us have also lost a loved one. More than one million people in Australia are currently living with cancer or have survived adiagnosis, people like Alex and Janet. “Money raised will support South Australian people and their families affected by cancer. “Thanks to the support of the community, research shows that 65% of people will still be alive, five years after a cancer diagnosis - an increase from 20% in 1982,” Mr Size added.
Alex continues to be a staunch advocate for Cancer Council giving up countless hours to volunteer and do what he can to help.
