Lisa Trigg
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — It’s amazing how a simple bunch of spring flowers can raise the spirits of somebody facing a life-threatening disease.
Oncology nurse Anna Lee Dowell has witnessed the power of Daffodil Days in Union Hospital’s oncology unit.
“One person said, ‘That was a nice surprise,’ and another said, ‘Well, that was a bright spot in my day,’” Dowell recalls of patient responses to receiving a bundle of daffodils as part of the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
“One person said, ‘It gives you a feeling that spring’s coming, and that things are not all gloom and doom,’” added Dowell, who has been an oncology nurse at Union Hospital for 17 years.
A $10 donation to the Daffodil Days program buys a bundle of 10 fresh-cut daffodils. For $15, the 10 flowers come in a vase. And for $25, anonymous donations allow Gifts of Hope to be sent to people actively in treatment at area hospitals and treatment facilities.
But the daffodils aren’t just for cancer patients or survivors. Anyone can purchase the flowers and share hope for those facing the disease by supporting the annual fundraiser of the American Cancer Society
Brandi Collins, community representative of the American Cancer Society, said the Wabash Valley effort provides many services for cancer patients in Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties.
“The money raised is used not only to fund research, but also the Road to Recovery program, Look Good … Feel Better, Reach to Recovery and the Wig Bank,” Collins said.
Road to Recovery pairs cancer patients receiving treatment with drivers available to transport the person for appointments. Look Good … Feel Better is a program for women in chemotherapy to offer tips and techniques for applying makeup and arranging their hair to help them feel better about themselves while receiving treatment. Reach to Recovery is a support group that pairs newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with a survivor who can give advice and share experiences. And the Wig Bank provides free wigs to women experiencing hair loss because of cancer treatment.
James Twitchell, community liaison at Union Hospital who is coordinating that facility’s Daffodil Days program, said ordering and receiving the flowers is “a pretty simple process” that any business big or small can do.
“We created a Web site through the American Cancer Society to push e-mails to employees. They can order them online, or they can do it the old-fashioned way of coming in to write a check to the American Cancer Society,” Twitchell said.
Orders can be placed by going to www.cancer.org/daffodils, by contacting a site coordinator or by going through the local ACS office at (812) 232-2679.
This year’s goal, Collins said, is to raise $53,000. Last year’s fundraiser brought in $47,000.
“It’s probably one of the easiest ways to get involved in the American Cancer Society,” she said. “Just ask your friends and family and co-workers to order. It’s a good way to welcome spring.”
The final days of ordering are approaching. Monday is the deadline for traditional orders, while March 18 is the online deadline.
Daffodils will arrive March 22 and will be delivered to sites that have ordered $100 or more worth of flowers. Orders of less than $100 can be picked up at the American Cancer Society office at Seventh and Putnam streets, or at Furniture Gallery at Seventh Street and U.S. 41.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
