Butler Health System Foundation sells daffodils
The Butler Health System Foundation is trying to grow more hope for cancer patients by selling daffodils, a flower representing hope, to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Toni Grupp, chairwoman of the local Daffodil Days campaign for the American Cancer Society, said the program not only has raised money to support cancer programs and patients, but also raised people’s spirits in the process.
“Daffodils are the flower of hope, so it brings hope to all of us,” she said. “You put them in water, and they just bloom right in front of your eyes. People like to make a donation when they receive something tangible back.”
Kris Bowser, development and events manager for the Butler Health System Foundation, said the American Cancer Society provides a grant each year to the foundation to assist cancer patients in Butler. Stacy Meyer, oncology patient navigator for BHS Cancer Support Services, works with cancer patients to determine their needs, Bowser said.
“Butler Health System is partnering with them to coordinate the sale, but the proceeds will go to the Cancer Society,” Bowser said. “We like to partner with other people who help also help the foundation.”
Bowser said the health system had not held the flower sale for a few years, but brought it back last year, when it sold more than $4,600-worth of flowers.
Grupp said she has chaired the Daffodil Days campaign since 1998, because in addition to supporting the mission of the American Cancer Society, she also experienced a death in her family from the disease.
She said seeing people give to the campaign is uplifting, especially when the donation comes from someone with a personal connection to cancer.
“I had a dear lady from Butler call me a few weeks ago, and she wanted to order four bunches. She wasn't sure if she could pick them up, so I said I'll bring them to you,” Grupp said. “She's a cancer survivor. I just pulled out of her driveway smiling because I could do that for her.”
The daffodils and tulips come from Washington state and are stored at Goettler Distributing in Butler for the week of the campaign, Bowser said.
Butler Farm Market will continue selling flowers for ACS from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, March 26.
