Ministerial Message
Daffodil Month: Cancer Awareness

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

April is Daffodil Month in Canada - a time when Canadians from coast to coast volunteer their time to raise both funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. In 2005, an estimated 69,500 people died from cancer, and an estimated 149,000 people were diagnosed with some form of cancer. Based on current risks, more than 1 out of 4 Canadians will develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes.

Many Canadians have been touched personally by cancer, and millions more have supported friends and family members in their fight against this disease - which is why the Government of Canada is implementing the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.

We are pleased to work with the Canadian Cancer Society, the provinces, territories and other public health partners to implement a comprehensive and national strategic approach to the prevention and control of cancer.

I commend all volunteers and event organizers who have put much time and effort both during Daffodil Month and throughout the year.

I also encourage all Canadians to join us in this country's fight against this disease.

To learn more on what's going on in your community during Daffodil Month, please visit the Canadian Cancer Society's Web site: www.cancer.ca.

Tony Clement
Minister of Health