Yvette Gerricks To Co-Chair Cancer Society's Daffodil Days
Yvette Gerricks To Co-Chair Cancer Societyâs Daffodil Days
Yvette Gerricks of Newtown will co-chair the annual American Cancer Societyâs Daffodil Days for lower Fairfield County. The fundraiser, which culminates during the first week of spring, is expected to raise more than $250,000 locally and more than $3 million throughout New England.
âI first got involved because my father was diagnosed with Lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic tissue,â Ms Gerricks said. âAs a result, I felt driven to contribute to the cancer cause, so I called the American Cancer Society.â
Ms Gerricks, now in her fifth year of volunteering, will coordinate activities for the sale and distribution of freshly cut daffodils throughout lower Fairfield County.
âIâm excited about this yearâs Daffodil campaign,â she said. âThe flowers are much more than a foretaste of spring. They also bring hope and a renewed sense of life to those who have been touched by cancer. I have held the hands of so many loved ones who have suffered from cancer. Every year I dedicate my efforts to the memory of someone close to me who has died from cancer. This year my participation is in memory of Patti Leiper; she was like a mother to me.â
Last year Daffodil Days raised nearly $211,000 to support life-saving research as well as local education programs and support services for cancer patients and their families. Bouquets of 10 flowers are available for a $5 donation; boxes of 500 flowers are available for $250. To place an advance order, call the American Cancer Society at 563-0740. March 10 is the last day to place advance orders; daffodils will be delivered March 29 and 30.
American Cancer Society support services include Reach to Recovery, one-to-one peer support for women diagnosed with breast cancer, transportation to and from cancer treatments, advocacy initiatives on behalf of patients, home-care medical equipment, 24-hour comprehensive cancer information and guidance through 800/ACS-2345, community resource referral, and ACS Hospital Resource Centers, among many others.