In Connecticut, one is every five cancer patients is served — directly or indirectly — by the American Cancer Society.
Francine Caulfield knows how it feels to have someone close to her be the one. She lost her mother to colon cancer in 1997. Today, Caulfield, who works in finance at Hartford-based UnitedHealthcare, is one of many people statewide leading the fight against cancer. As a site coordinator for her company’s Daffodil Days campaign — one of 1,400 coordinators from schools, civic groups and businesses throughout Connecticut — Caulfield is raising dollars and cancer awareness through the sale of assorted daffodil bouquets — with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.
The Daffodil Days program, now in its 35th year in Connecticut, is expected to raise nearly $600,000 to fund cancer research, advocacy and patient services, according to Mary Kate Carofano, program manager of special events for the American Cancer Society. Support for the this signature event, which runs from mid-January through March 1, comes substantially from the business community, which account for roughly 80 percent of all daffodil sales in the state, Carofano estimates. And sales are impressive. “Last year, we delivered about 75,000 flowers in Connecticut,” Carafano said.
Often those bouquets were delivered anonymously to cancer patients — sometimes children — undergoing treatment, Carofano noted. “Daffodils are the first flower of spring and they represent hope,” she said, explaining the rationale behind the campaign.
It is hope for a cure that fuels Caulfield’s efforts — with support from UnitedHealthcare employee volunteers — to promote the wide assortment of Daffodils Days products — from the standard $10 bouquet and $15 potted assortments to the $25 specialty Bear Bouquet — this year aptly named Live ‘N Hope Bear. “UnitedHealthcare employees are committed to improving the quality of life for people in our communities and this campaign is a fun and rewarding way to play a role in the fight against cancer,” Caulfield said
That fight, Caulfield knows first hand, is waged by the courage of cancer patients — and their families. It’s also waged in dollars. Last year, UnitedHealthcare’s three Connecticut locations raised more than $10,000 — more than half from the Hartford office — through employee Daffodil sales. That’s a number Caulfield and her company would like to surpass this year.
The dollars raised through Daffodil Days will ultimately touch the lives of cancer patients — in ways large and small — across Connecticut. The money will help underwrite free transportation to chemotherapy appointments and provide free wigs or prosthetics for patients available through the American Cancer Society. But the 1,400 Daffodil Days coordinators posting flyers, sending e-mails and hosting educational events to push daffodil sales this month are driven by a greater goal — finding a cure for cancer. It seems hope — like daffodils — springs eternal.
DAV grant helps Chrysalis
Chrysalis Center Inc. has received a $30,000 grant from the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust to enhance support of the agency’s services for veterans. Services include supportive housing, case management, employment assistance and community integration.
Through a grant from Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Chrysalis Center provides support services to 24 formerly homeless veterans with disabilities. The Veterans receive housing subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, allowing them to live in individual apartments.
• • •
Feeling charitable in Avon
A total of 350 employees of Evolution Benefits Inc., the Avon-based supplier of electronic benefits card payment services, and Women’s Health USA Inc., a business partner for physicians, helped raise over $120,000 for charities during 2010 and spent 264 hours volunteering. The two businesses are located in the same building in Avon and share some management and corporate services.
One of the most successful charitable campaign drives during 2010 was for the United Way. “Women’s Health and Evolution Benefits outpaced all other organizations in their employer size in central Connecticut with their United Way contribution last year,” said Ann Péan, with the United Way. “There is a culture of caring reflected throughout the entire organization starting with the leadership teams at both Women’s Health and Evolution Benefits.”
In addition to the United Way, both companies, including the employees, contributed financially and volunteered their time to The St. Francis Mission, Haiti Relief, Go Red for Women, American Cancer Society, the TeacherDollar Program, JDRF, The Travelers Championship, Hartford Arts Council, and The Hartford Marathon.
In addition to matching employee contributions, Evolution Benefits and Women’s Health allow each employee eight hours of paid time per year to volunteer.
• • •
HEDCo receives grant
Citizens Bank has awarded the Hartford Economic Development Corp. a $25,000 grant as its Champion in Action for the first quarter of 2011 in the economic development category.
“HEDCo has been a leader in Hartford and beyond for more than 35 years, working to help small businesses develop business plans, acquire financing and position themselves for sustained growth,” said Ned Handy, president of Citizens Bank in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Since 1976, HEDCo and its partners have provided more than $100 million in loans to a number of small businesses.
The Champions in Action program is a partnership between Citizens Bank and News 8 to provide financial support and awareness to nonprofit organizations.
