Cancer Council is Australia’s leading cancer charity and aims to raise more than $2 million across Australia with the Daffodil Day Appeal, which is delivered in digital form this year.

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) CEO Peter Conde said he was pleased to see Australian elite athletes and coaches participate in impactful community engagement activities and use their profile to help raise funds for vital cancer research.

"The AIS is delighted to support Cancer Council through the Daffodil Day Appeal, which is raising funds for Cancer Council’s life-saving cancer research throughout the month of August,” Conde said.

"Cancer is something that affects many families in Australia and unfortunately many people within our sporting community have first-hand experience of how devastating its impact can be.

“By sharing their stories they want to spread a message of hope, but also raise awareness around the crucial part played by research and prevention in order to win this ongoing battle," he said.

Canoe Sprint paddler Bernadette Wallace is one of many athletes who want to share their personal stories to support the Daffodil Day Appeal and highlight the importance of cancer research and prevention.

“When I was 25 years old, I underwent my first skin check. We found a freckle on my neck that had to be removed. A year later it was discovered that it was actually a melanoma growing on my neck,” Wallace said.

"When I went to get my health check I was a bit nervous because I had not done one of these before. I thought I was young and fit and healthy, an athlete who loved the beach and never really had anything wrong. But I also knew that I am in the sun everyday, so I had to start somewhere, and I am glad that I did,” she said.

Earlier this year Wallace, now 31, secured Australia’s first-ever women’s canoe Olympic quota spots when she won the C2 500m event at the Oceania Canoe Sprint Championships alongside team-mate Josephine Bulmer. Next year the pair will make their Olympic debut at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which for the first time include women’s canoeing events in the canoe sprint competition programme.

To donate a virtual daffodil and support cancer research go to www.daffodilday.com.au/AIS