Four-o'clock Flowers Around the World Free Cancer Project began as a small tribute to symbolically fulfill the last request of Jim Donahoe before he lost his battle to cancer in 1994. Today, this tribute has blossomed into a symbol of
hope by the thousands upon thousands of persons who have planted
Jim's beloved four-o'clock flower seeds across America and in
over 100 countries around the world.
Jim loved growing four-o'clock flowers(Mirabilis jalapa) since his childhood
in New Orleans and throughout his life. He took pride and joy
in sharing pieces of his four-o'clock plants and seeds with others to grow in their garden.
Jim developed mesothiloma from inhaling asbestos as a clerk on the docks of New Orleans. As Jim went through radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Jim said he drew upon the beauty of his four-o'clock flowers to give him the courage and strength to battle cancer. Jim shared seeds from his plants with other
cancer survivors, nurses, doctors and other health care professionals in the oncology department at East Jefferson General Hospital. His last request was
to see his beloved four-o'clock flowers bloom once more. Unfortunately,
Jim lost his battle to cancer on April 6, 1994
. His four-o'clock flowers
bloomed two weeks later.
A NEW SYMBOL OF HOPE FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
Kevin Donahoe, to ease the grief of his mom, Dot, and to symbolically fulfill Jim's last request, sent four-o'clock flower seeds from Jim's plants to postmasters and governors across America asking them to plant the seeds in time for Jim's July 1994 birthday. Letters poured in from all 50 states from persons stating they planted Jim's four-o'clock seeds. The cancer project began taking on a life of its own. A number of persons who participated in the project said the four-o'clock flowers could be a "symbol of hope" for cancer survivors.
The project has continued to grow and bloom across American and around
the world through the kindness of postal employees, governors, U.S. Presidents, U.S. Ambassadors, royalty, world leaders, Hollywood celebrities, health care professionals, care givers, cancer survivors, churches, schools, gardening groups, and gardeners planting four-o'clock seeds.
The project has received a Points of Light Foundation award from
President George H.W. Bush for national volunteerism, as well as awards from the U.S. Congress and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater New Orleans and the River Region.
FREE FOUR-O'CLOCK FLOWER SEEDS TO GROW AND SHARE
WITH CANCER SURVIVORS, CARE GIVERS, HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS AND GARDENERS
Thousands upon thousands of packets of free four-o'clock flower seeds have been distributed since 1994. The four-o'clock flower seeds continue to be
offered for free to persons who send a self-addressed, stamped envelope requesting the seeds.
Our simple request is that you share the seeds from YOUR four-o'clock plants with others just as Jim did with his family and friends for many years, hence perpetuating Jim's legacy of sharing his four-o'clock plants. Enjoy visiting this
site to learn more about the "Four-o'clock Flowers Around the World Free
Cancer Project" and about Jim Donahoe. Please share this site with cancer survivors, care givers, health care providers, gardeners, family and friends.
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