Prince George, B.C. – The Canadian Cancer Society kicks off its annual Daffodil campaign tomorrow.

The City of Prince George marked the occasion with a flag raising ceremony this afternoon.

Marjo van Helvoirt Koop & Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall at today’s flag raising – photo submitted

“Every year we partner with the City to help us bring awareness to the campaign which runs nationally across Canada,” says annual giving coordinator Marjo van Helvoirt Koop. “So we met with Mayor Lyn Hall and we raised a flag and he was very happy to do so.”

She says the daffodil “is a symbol of hope for families going through cancer” or for families that have lost loved ones and says people can support the cause by wearing a pin.

According to van Helvoirt Koop, 1 in 4 will die of cancer, 2 in 5 will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, but the overall cancer death rate has been declining in Canada since peaking in 1988.

She says 100,000 cancer deaths have been avoided since 1989.