The elimination of live flowers from Daffodil Days doesn’t have Canadian Cancer Society officials worried.
While people can still purchase daffodils this week for this year’s campaign, the more than half-century old tradition will no longer feature live flowers starting next year. Instead of flowers the campaign will feature a daffodil pin, which is available this year.
Fundraising coordinator for the local unit of the Canadian Cancer Society Laara Losier said getting the flowers delivered to the city can be a lengthy process and trucking schedules don’t always work out.
“With the weather this year, our daffodils were late being delivered. All of those things come together to create some challenges. We’re just going to move forward with something that’s a little bit more cost effective and that can last longer, have a more lasting impression than the flowers themselves,” she said.
The pins have already been introduced to the public and are again for sale this year. Losier said she’s not worried about the switch.
“I think we have strong supporters in the community. We thank everyone who supported us over many years. I think people will support us whether we have the flowers or not,” she said.
On Monday volunteers were busy at the Cardinal Room on the CLE grounds wrapping the flowers. The annual campaign always kicks off the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month in April.
“It’s a month where we come together. We stand together to support individuals in the community who are battling cancer,” said Losier.
The daffodil is bright, a happy flower, a symbol of hope, she added.
“It’s not just a daffodil to us. It’s a sign we won’t give up,” Losier said.
The Canadian Cancer Society hopes to raise $60,000 from the local campaign this year.
Daffodils can be purchased from April 3 to 7 at the Memorial Avenue Wal-mart, any Canadian Tire or LCBO location and the Cancer Society office.
For more information see www.fightback.ca
