Celebrating 40 years of Daffodil Day
By
Cancer Council NSW
This year marks 40 years of Daffodil Day, one of Australia’s most iconic fundraising campaigns, with Cancer Council NSW calling on Australians to help fund the next generation of cancer breakthroughs.
Over the past four decades, Cancer Council funded research has delivered significant breakthroughs, which have helped bring the five-year cancer survival rate in NSW up to 73% compared to 47% in the 1980s. Some of these world-class projects include transforming ovarian cancer treatment through precision medicine, helping drive Australia’s world-leading SunSmart campaigns that have contributed to a 40% decline in melanoma deaths among Australians aged 50–75 since 2006, and more recently, informing national vaping reforms through the Generation Vape (GenVape) research project.
Cancer Council NSW Manager, Policy & Advocacy Unit, Brad Gellert, said, “It’s thanks to these advances more people than ever are living longer with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, which poses us with a new challenge to support them to live well. For 40 years, Daffodil Day has funded research that has changed and saved lives. But our work doesn’t end at diagnosis or treatment. As more people live longer after cancer, we must continue to understand how to support them to live well, not only during treatment, but long after their diagnosis.”
As we reflect on the past 40 years of progress made in research, we look forward to continuing to reduce the impact of cancer for all Australians.
Together, with your support, it’s all of us against cancer.
Cancer Council research milestones:
1980s: Helped pioneer Australia’s bowel cancer screening program, improving early detection and saving lives.
1990: Launched the landmark Health2020 study, revealing how diet, exercise and lifestyle influence cancer risk.
2000s: Supported research that led to the world-first HPV vaccine, helping prevent cervical cancer globally.
2006: Cancer Council research underpinned Australia’s first national SunSmart campaign.
2009: Cancer Council-funded research transformed understanding of ovarian cancer treatment, paving the way for more personalised therapies.
2010s: Identified genetic variants linked to inherited breast cancer risk, improving prevention and early detection.
2011: Led advocacy for Australia’s world-leading plain tobacco packaging laws.
2015: Funded the development of a breakthrough tool to detect residual leukaemia cells in children.
2017: Research underpinned Australia’s transition to five-yearly HPV cervical screening.
2020s: Funding innovative research including home blood tests to monitor cancer recurrence and new immunotherapies for childhood cancers.
2021: Launched The Daffodil Centre, a world-leading cancer control and policy research partnership.
2022–2025: Research informed national prostate cancer early detection guidelines, breast density screening policy, vaping reforms and AI-powered cancer decision support.
2025: Established the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship through a landmark partnership with UNSW to improve long-term outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Every dollar raised this Daffodil Day will help Cancer Council continue investing in life-saving cancer research and support. Together, with your support, it’s all of us against cancer.