It seems there isn’t anyone who hasn’t been touched in some way or another by cancer anymore.

Through this week, people have the opportunity to touch the lives of cancer patients and those caring for them by contributing to the Gift of Hope Program, which enables the local American Cancer Society to deliver bouquets of daffodils anonymously to cancer patients at facilities throughout Freeborn County.

The Gift of Hope bouquet is part of the American Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Days, a campaign that funds cancer research, educational programs, services for cancer patients and their families, and furthers the mission of the American Cancer Society.

Daffodils can be ordered until Friday. To order daffodils, get more information about becoming a Daffodil Days sponsor or volunteer your time, call Joyce Rhody at 373-0723.

Donations range from $7 for a bunch of daffodils to $15 for a Gift of Hope and $75 for a corporate bouquet. The American Cancer Society will deliver thousands of daffodils to corporations, organizations and cancer patients in Freeborn County the week of March 7-11.

Daffodil Days supports research, which leads to survivorship. This year, an estimated 22,890 people in Minnesota will be diagnosed with cancer, but with advances and progress in early detection and treatment, more than 64 percent of those diagnosed will survive.

That’s exciting news. No longer does a diagnosis of cancer have to mean a death knell, thanks to advances made possible by programs such as Daffodil Days. Last year’s campaign raised more $2.3 million in the Midwest Division.

We urge those who are able to join in the fight against cancer by ordering the flowers for cancer patients, colleagues, friends, and family throughout Freeborn County. Donations help

support critical research, patient services and education which make a healthy future possible for so many cancer patients.