HOULTON, Maine — Nearly everyone has a friend, relative or loved one who has been affected by some form of cancer.
And for many years, the American Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Days fundraiser was a major source of revenue in the effort to find a cure. So when that effort came to a halt locally in 2011, Houlton resident Cathy Davis decided to do something about it.
“Two years ago, I found out that nobody in Houlton was doing this (Daffodil Days) any more so I got in touch with the American Cancer Society and they set me up in 2011,” Davis said. “Last year, I had pneumonia and could not organize the event, but this year I’m feeling good and folks have offered to help so we’re going to give it a try. We would like to raise $5,000.”
For Davis, the fund-raising drive has personal meaning.
“I’m involved because I have lost so many people to cancer, everybody I know has been touched by this disease. My dad is a colon cancer survivor, my mother died of esophageal cancer, my former mother-in-law died of esophageal cancer. My grandmother died of cancer, so did my Uncle Marshall and Uncle Jim, and way too many friends have died of cancer. This is one small thing I do to honor their memory.”
The cost is $10 for a bouquet, $15 for potted daffodil bulbs and $25 for a collectible Boyds Bear complete with a bunch of flowers.
Davis will be taking orders until Feb. 22. Flowers are anticipated to arrive the week of March 18. Flowers can be picked up at Chadwick Florist or delivered.
According to the American Cancer Society website, the Daffodil Days program is a campaign in which volunteer coordinators promote the Daffodil Days program in the workplace, place of worship, school, neighborhood, civic organization, and community activities, and take requests for flowers. The Daffodil Days program is a chance to fight back against cancer by raising funds and awareness to help beat the disease. While the Daffodil Days program involves offering daffodils every spring to donors in appreciation for their contributions, it is about more than just giving beautiful flowers — it is everyone’s opportunity to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays, where cancer never steals another year from anyone’s life.
Those that would like to donate to the American Cancer Society can visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.
