The pandemic has meant Daffodil Day looks very different in its 34^th year.

As a counsellor, Lynda Paterson knows the toll the COVID-19 is taking on people's well-being, and she believes it's more important than ever to be alert to health changes.

"If something is not right with you, even if it's minute, always ask the question," she said.

"It doesn't matter how silly the question is.

"I had a close friend who ended up with breast cancer. We have this idea men don't get breast cancer - they do.

"A nephew, he had pain in the tummy - he ended up with stomach cancer.

"They symptoms don't always make sense, that's why you've got to speak to someone who knows what they're dealing with.

"My persistence that something was not right and my specialist's diligence was my saving grace."

Abnormal menstruation led Mrs Paterson to seek help in 1993, and gynaecologist Scott Giltrap ran testing that uncovered abnormal cells in her cervix.

"I had to have a hysterectomy, and make the decision of whether I wanted more kids, and it was pretty emotional," she said.

"It doubled in size within three months ... if I hadn't have had that hysterectomy, he reckoned it would have gone beyond my cervix.

"He kept an eye on me, his time with me finished and I went on through life, but every time I got ill in any shape or form, I thought 'it's back', and I think a lot of people can relate to that.

"It took them 17 years to tell me to go away, that I was 100 per cent healthy."

Mrs Paterson feels extremely grateful she did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.

"I don't know if I would have been brave enough to go through that," she said.

"Yes, I had to make a tough decision, however, I know I'm not the one in the cancer centre going through that horrendous journey.

"I could probably name five people, male and female, who got the cancer early and have lived to tell the story.

"On the flip side, if you don't catch it early, don't beat yourself up."

Mrs Paterson heard about the journeys of others, running Daffodil Day fundraisers as manager of three Wodonga Council community centres from 2007 to 2015.

"I remember one lady came in and said 'My mother's just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I want them to find a cure, so here's a donation' - she handed over $150," she said.

"She reduced me to tears. I started to be so grateful - every year was a celebration of life."

Fighting cancer is more difficult than ever, and distress calls from patients about COVID-19 to Cancer Council Victoria nurses have quadrupled.

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Calls to 13 11 20 have been about isolation, difficulty attending appointments due to border closures, anxiety about delays to upcoming surgery and concern for family members who can't have visitors in hospital.

Mrs Paterson said while times were tough, counting your blessings was important.

"What a beautiful way of celebrating Daffodil Day - sitting down with a cup of tea or coffee, chatting with others, congratulating those who have won the battle and encouraging those who are going through it," she said.

"Let's think of the blessings we've got."

For more information or to donate visit daffodilday.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.