Hosts of golden daffodils for a good cause

Gwen Davis (left), assisted by assistant University secretary Deborah Hoff, distributes daffodils on campus to benefit the American Cancer Society.

4:23 p.m., March 17, 2005--Spring was ushered in early when hundreds of pots and bouquets of daffodils arrived on campus St. Patrick’s Day in support of the American Cancer Society. A room in Hullihen Hall was turned into a temporary floral shop with a parade of smiling people coming in to pick up their daffodils.

Gwen Davis, administrative assistant to the University secretary, is one of the organizers of the drive. “There are 28 people across campus who help me. I e-mail them when the daffodil drive begins, and they, in turn, give people in their offices an opportunity to contribute. I am a cancer survivor myself, and this is one way I can help,” Davis said.

Donors prepurchased pots or bouquets of daffodils or sent Flowers of Hope anonymously to cancer patients, and Davis and her team raised $3,200. Robin Buccos, administrative coordinator in the dean’s office of the College of Health and Nursing Sciences, and others also helped the American Cancer Society with the project, bringing UD’s total to more than $4,000. Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority ordered daffodils to sell in the Trabant University Center.

Shaun Gines, AS04, who was a volunteer and now works for the American Cancer Society in New Castle County, coordinates the daffodil project and the Relay for Life, which will be held in the UD Field House, May 7 and 8.

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Duane Perry

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