From Staff Reports
The colorful blossoms purchased for Mother's Day gifts at the Xi Kappa's Annual Flower Sale for UCAN will also brighten the lives of area cancer patients. The sale will be from 8 a.m, to noon or until all the flowers are gone Saturday at Poplar Bluff Realty.
Members of Xi Kappa, a sorority chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, started their annual flower sale nine years ago to help local cancer patients by donating all the proceeds to United Cancer Assistance Network. They have raised about $17,000 for UCAN.
Sorority member Chris Waite said, "One of our members was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and that triggered our group to do something. The first year we held a yard sale and did the flower sale. Members early on formed a team and walked for the American Cancer Society."
"Our sorority decided to support our local organization to help those in our community," Waite said. "One member who had ovarian cancer kicked its butt and is doing great. Two other members have had breast cancer and they are also survivors. This disease affects so many and anything we can do to help UCAN help victims of the disease and their families we are glad to do. The community has been so good to support our fundraiser and the last few years we have sold out before noon."
Member Jan Duffy said, "We have had several sorority members who have been affected by cancer."
In honor of them, "we have been very pleased with the response. It is a way to help cancer patients. The money donated to UCAN goes to people in this area. People who personally know us and the good products we provide supplies something for mom and helps UCAN."
Member Virginia Crafford describes the people who buy baskets and sacks of flowers to hang on their doors and patios each year as "loyal customers."
Crafford said when she hangs her purchases of spring colors of purples, yellow and pink at her home "I immediately feel better."
She suggested it would be "awesome" and "strongly urges purchasing one of the baskets for a mother or sister who would not receive one."