Daffodils are being sold between now and March 2 to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Mary-Jo Kane, director of Health Services, will take the orders. The ordering process is “pretty convenient,” says Kane. She can be reached via phone at 408-864-8903 or directly at the De Anza Health Services Office. Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, check or cash. Kane will hand deliver the flowers when they arrive.
“To me this is the most fun part,” Kane said. “Everyone’s so happy to get them. Sometimes they are given as surprises.” Kane says she herself has lost someone close to cancer.
Kane has been a supporter of this event for the past six years, ever since someone close to her passed away from cancer. According to Kane, many people, even here at De Anza College, have been affected by cancer. “It’s like buying Girl Scout cookies. You do the good deed and you enjoy the cookies. Except this is even better, it doesn’t have any calories,” says Kane. Supporters are not simply just giving away money, beautiful flowers come back in return.
An American Cancer Society brochure indicates that the daffodil, being the first flower of spring, symbolizes the hope and promise of a cancer free society. This nation-wide voluntary health organization contributes to cancer research, education, advocacy, and service. Based on figures from the 1999 national American Cancer Society Annual Report, the daffodil fund contributes to several categories: 19 percent to research, 15 percent to de-tection/treatment, 17 percent to patient services, 23 percent to fundraising, six percent to management and general, and 20 percent to prevention.
The costs for daffodils vary, but start at $10. Anonymous donations can also be made. Daffodil days and the purchasing of a flower is to honor anyone who has battled with cancer.
