A symbol of hope

Each Spring, the first flower to bloom is the daffodil.

This is just one of the many reasons why the American Cancer Society has picked this particular flower as its symbol of hope.

They are hoping this bright, yellow, flower can inspire those diagnosed with cancer to do one thing -- have hope.

"When you're diagnosed with cancer, it's not necessarily a death sentence," Janelle LaBelle, community manager with the ACS, said.

What has been called Daffodil Days is also the society's first big fundraiser of the year, LaBelle said.

"The ACS has done it for years," she said.

Although the Relay For Life is the ACS's signature and most well-known event and fundraiser, Daffodil Days is still an important one for the society.

Each year, residents in communities across America are encouraged to open their hearts and their wallets to help provide funding to the ACS through the purchase of daffodils.

One bunch of 10 daffodils costs $10, while three bunches are $25 each. The ACS is also selling half cases and full cases of daffodils.

LaBelle said those who don't want to buy flowers, but still want to help can do so by purchasing what is called the gift-of-hope bunch, which requires a minimum of $25. The money given to this cause, will go to purchase daffodils, which will then be given to a cancer patient.

LaBelle said she has spoken with a representative who works in the oncology department at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County to line up the delivery of the gift-of-hope bunches to some of their cancer patients.

"I am sure that they would love to have them," she said.

As for delivery in Green River, LaBelle said that is up to the Green River contact.

"We could deliver them to some of the patients at the nursing home," Green River volunteer Patsy Sorensen said.

She said if a resident knows of someone who is shut in, they can deliver to that person also.

"Someone who needs some joy in their life maybe," Sorensen said.

Sorensen knows all to well what cancer can do to not only the person, but those around them. She said she has known both survivors and those who lost their battle with cancer.

"I think we've all been touched by cancer," Sorensen said. "It affects us all."

This is one way ACS can get money for cancer research.

For LaBelle, Daffodil Days is also about getting the word out to those who have been diagnosed with cancer. She said the ACS's website http://www.cancer.org is a great source for information for the ACS's programs and services.

For example: those who have recently been diagnosed with cancer can find out more about the kind of cancer they have in terminology they can understand. LaBelle said a lot of the time patients here big words from their doctors and don't fully understand what they are being told.

"You get that diagnosis, and you are stressed; and up at 2 in the night," LaBelle said.

She said these cancer patients can always access the ACS's website or Facebook page at any time to find out information and support.

All daffodil orders must be turned in by Friday, Feb. 26. Sorensen said they can either call her and give her the order or they can send it to her in the mail. She said they also passed out forms to businesses around town and will stop by those businesses and pick them up.

The daffodils will be delivered, Monday, March 21. Sorensen said she knows Green River schools are out on spring break that week, but is encouraging those who are going to be out of town to still put in an order. She said those residents can choose to have theirs given to someone else.