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Seed Campaign Blossoms at Duke Clinic, Inside Duke University Medical Center and Health System, Duke University Hospital. Durham, North Carolina. June 18, 2001
Original Printed Version of This Article
In 1994, Kevin Donahoe of Metairie, LA lost his father, Jim, after a lengthy bout with cancer. To honor his father, Donahoe began a campaign to spread his father’s spirit across the nation by planting the seeds of his father’s favorite flower, the four-o’clock, in all 50 states.
The project, which now has spanned the nation and over 125 countries bringing hope to thousands of persons confronting the disease, blossomed here at Duke Clinic on June 3 when 1,000 packets of the seeds were given to patients at the oncology clinics - surgical, medical/hematology, and radiation oncology, plus the outpatient treatment room.
The seeds were distributed in recognition of the 14th Annual National Cancer Survivors Day, during which communities throughout the United States hold celebrations of life in recognition of the nation’s 8.4 million cancer survivors ad those professionals dedicated to cancer treatment, research, and support services.
Cathy Glennon, a registered nurse and health center administrator for Oncology Services in Duke Clinic, heard about Donahoe’s project and contacted him about giving seeds to patients at Duke to celebrate Survivor’s Day. Within a week, he shipped her 1,000 seed packets, free. “Through Mr. Donahoe’s generosity, we were able to share this inspiring gesture with our oncology patients and survivors,” says Glennon, who is already working on plans with Donahoe for next year. “Through his efforts, Mr. Donahoe has increased public awareness of cancer, connected people concerned about cancer, and helped Duke celebrate survivorship.”
Donahoe will send free seeds to any individual who makes a request and will not accept contributions for his effort, she says, but instead encourages respondents to send donations to organizations dedicated to fighting cancer.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Donahoe’s father said the hardy perennial flowers gave him peace of mind and the courage to fight his disease. His last request was to see his flowers bloom one last time. Kevin decided to fulfill the request by having his father’s four-o’clock seeds planted in all 50 states in time for his father’s July 17 birthday. He sent seeds to postmasters across the country with a letter telling them of his father’s last request.
After reaching the goal, the project was supposed to end but has continued as the next wave of seeds were sent to the governor of each state and the governor’s family. The project’s new goal is to have the four-o’clock flower as the national symbol of hope for persons facing all forms of cancer. The plant, whose blooms of trumpet-shaped flowers open in the late afternoon when all other flowers are closing, produces an abundance of seeds which cancer survivors can share with family and friends.
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the spirit of the famous New Orleans' Mardi
Gras
through gift packages to support |
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Four-O'clocks
Around the World©, 1994 - 2005 New Orleans, Louisiana U.S.A.
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