Yellow flower in bloom

Nasir Jiwa

Orange County could be seeing a bit more yellow with “Daffodil Days”

about to bloom. One of the largest fundraising programs for the

American Cancer Society, the nearly month-long Daffodil Days drive

allows donors to buy bouquets of the flowers knowing their money will

go toward treatment for cancer patients.

“Daffodils are one of the first flowers of spring,” said Jennifer

Horspool, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society’s Orange County

chapter. “After a long, cold winter, the daffodil brings hope for a

warmer spring.”

Eastbluff Elementary School students recently kicked off their

Daffodil Days drive by planting the flower bulbs in the school’s

award-winning garden. The Newport-Mesa School District’s goal is to

raise $20,000 through daffodil sales.

Traditionally a yellow-golden colored flower, daffodils consist of

a trumpet like petal circled with a ring of outer petals, appearing

like a fanciful version of a teacup and saucer. The daffodil is

considered the flower of hope for cancer patients.

“People buy them for other people they know that have cancer, have

died of cancer or have survived cancer,” said Sandi Swaid, a staff

aide at Orange Coast College’s Student Health Center, where the

bright, yellow flowers can be preordered until Feb. 15. The health

center is at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. The flowers will be

ready for pickup on March 14.

Bouquets are available for $10 (for 10 daffodils) to $35 (with a

plum-colored glass vase). Also, available are $100 “Hope and

Friendship” packages, which include the special “Gift of Hope”

donation that enables the American Cancer Society to anonymously give

bouquets of daffodils to those suffering from cancer.

The money raised will help fund transportation services for

patients to and from their treatments, purchase wigs for patients who

damage their hair from chemotherapy and offer low-cost mammography

screenings.

Local hospitals -- among them Hoag Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital

in Santa Ana, Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and the Fountain

Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center -- will benefit from the

local flower drive, which is also organized throughout other parts of

the nation.

Tips to take care of your new daffodils:

Caring for Daffodils: Cut small part off the bottom of the stems

and place in lukewarm water. Then wait for unopened daffodils to

bloom. Floral preservatives may be added. Keep flowers cool and out

of direct sunlight. Check water level frequently; daffodils drink

water quickly. If mixing with other flowers, keep daffodils in water

by themselves for six hours beforehand because sap from daffodil

stems can harm other flowers.

Source: American Cancer Society

To purchase, contact:

American Cancer Society (Orange County Area) (949) 261-9446

OCC’s Student Health Center at (714) 432-0202 Ext. 25808