The 12 students have been working on the designs for two months, with the final outfits to be displayed at Cancer Council SA in the lead up to Daffodil Day from 15 to 21 August 2024. The community will be able to view the outfits at Burnside Village Shopping Centre on 22 August to 1 September where the public can vote for their favourite design.
This project was particularly close to home for student, Athena when just two weeks after starting work on her Daffodil Day inspired design, doctors found a lump in her breast.
Athena had seen a doctor about some nipple discharge late last year and the results had come back normal. It was when she went to see a new doctor for issues with her back that she mentioned the discharge again. This time she was sent to a breast specialist.
“My specialist called me and told me it was a papilloma which puts you at higher risk of developing cancer if not taken out early. Thankfully there were no cancer cells, but I’m one of the lucky ones. Lucky that despite a normal mammogram, something kept saying to me, you need to speak to your doctor about this,” Athena says.
“I never for once thought I might be at risk and yet here I was, waiting to find out whether I would also be one of the statistics.”
“When I was working on my daffodil dress, I broke down in tears many times. I felt deeply connected to this project and I wanted to design and make something to be proud of. This truly represented hope, life and freedom. It resonated so deeply with me and feels sentimental and close to me.”
This year, Daffodil Day falls on Thursday 22 August, but South Australians can donate or buy daffodils throughout the entire month of August.
Daffodil Day is proudly presented by Thomas Foods International in 2024. Learn more about the partnership here. To give this Daffodil Day, visit www.daffodilday.com.au
