In 2019, her then 4-year-old daughter Esme Palmer was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare form of cancer.
What followed was a rollercoaster 18 months for the Balclutha family.
They immediately flew to Christchurch, where they spent six months while Esme underwent treatment.
That happened to be during last year’s Level 4 lockdown.
They have been home since May, and Esme, now 6, is in remission.
That meant this year’s lockdown has been very different. They also have a new addition, in the form of 4-month-old Luna.
‘‘Regardless of age, cancer is a beast and the charities that support families with cancer help make that road a little bit smoother,’’ Miss Balchin said.
To show their support for the organisation, which has not been able to hold its Daffodil Day street collection due to lockdown, Miss Balchin’s partner, Jason Palmer, made several large plywood daffodils to display by their letterbox.
The move inspired others on their street to also decorate their fences and mailboxes to show solidarity.
‘‘We live in a very, very supportive community, as we found out firsthand when Esme got sick.’’
Meanwhile, Maori Hill School in Dunedin was also getting behind the virtual Daffodil Day yesterday.
Principal Verity Harlick said before lockdown, the school had organised a dress-up day to support the cause.
They decided to go ahead with it via Zoom yesterday, and both pupils and staff donned their brightest yellow clothing.
The school also set up an online fundraising page, which as of yesterday afternoon had raised $2044.
Pupil Lucy Storer (7) had fun dressing up in her fluoro outfit.
‘‘It has been really fun making a large daffodil for Daffodil Day. It is kind of funny because last lockdown we made a giant poppy for Anzac Day and this year we got to make a giant daffodil for Daffodil Day.’’
Cancer Society Otago and Southland division chief executive Rachael Hart said the charity was humbled by the generosity of people donating online.
Those donations continued to climb, but it was too early to determine exactly how much had been raised.
