Four-O'Clock Flowers Around
the World Cancer Memorial
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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.
