As the first flower of spring, the daffodil is a symbol of hope. City of Hope has teamed up once again with the American Cancer Society for its annual Daffodil Days fundraising campaign to provide hope to those affected by cancer.

City of Hope employees are encouraged to visit the site at http://daffodil.acsevents.org for a complete look at all Daffodil Days bouquets and offerings such as freshcut flowers, e-cards and stuffed bears. Donations will be accepted until Feb. 28, with actual deliveries — or “Gifts of Hope” — made to anonymous cancer patients at hospitals such as City of Hope the week of March 17.

Yvonne Rosas-Petty, a registration representative in Ambulatory Care and Hematology who has been with City of Hope for 25 years, knows firsthand how the unique campaign reaches out to patients battling cancer, letting them know that they are not forgotten and the community cares about their fight.

“I have been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for more than 10 years and have seen personally how the funds support the society’s mission statement and support facilities such as City of Hope,” Rosas-Petty said. “I have been able to enjoy watching our patients receive gifts of hope and seeing their spirits lifted.”

All contributions support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to fund groundbreaking cancer research, provide up-to-date cancer information and education, advocate for public health policies that benefit the community, and offer free services that improve quality of life for patients and families.

Those interested in participating may contact Rosas-Petty through e-mail at ypetty@coh.org. To donate online, click on this story at www.cityofhope.org/hopenews for a fundraising link. Alternatively, checks can be made out to the American Cancer Society and delivered to Rosas-Petty prior to Thursday, Feb. 28.