Daffodil - A World Wide Symbol of Hope

In 1957, a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer, Fran Shannon from Toronto decided to sell daffodils as a way to raise funds. 5,000 daffodils were flew in from an anonymous donor in Victoria, British Columbia. This was the beginning of what would become a worldwide symbol of hope for those dealing with the horrendous disease of cancer. Daffodil Day is April 27, 2013 this year with the whole month of April dedicated to the sale of daffodils and the effort to raise money in the the fight against cancer.

The American Cancer Society has raised more than $240 million over the last 14 years from Daffodil Days in a life giving mission to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease.

The Australian Cancer Counsel chose the daffodil as a symbol of hope for all those affected by cancer because of its reputation as a hardy annual flower. The daffodil pushes its way through the frozen earth after a long winter to herald the return of spring, new life, vitality and growth. As one of the first flowers of spring, the daffodil symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings.

The Irish Cancer Society celebrates its 26th year of the daffodil campaign for the fight against cancer. In 2011, Dell came on board as a primary sponsor and funds raised from this campaign provide free nationwide patient care services.

The Great Daffodil Appeal, set up in the United Kingdom and Ireland, by the Marie Curie Cancer Care Center also uses the daffodil to raise funds. They believe your final moments should mean as much as your first. The funds raised allow terminally ill people and their families make the most of the time they have together - when every moment really matters.

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills.

When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth