Thousands raised on Daffodil Day
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Apr 13/01) - Flower power was out in full bloom in Inuvik and surrounding communities.
Daffodil Day was held March 30 as a fund-raiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. The Inuvialuit Regional Corp. co-ordinated the event in this area.
"The daffodil is what they consider the flower of hope," said Peggy Jay, IRC communications advisor. "It's the symbol of hope for the cancer society."
Jay said the amount raised in Holman and Tuktoyaktuk are still unknown, but so far the event raised $5,300. That total includes about $800 donated in memory of Diane Gordon, an Inuvik resident who died from breast cancer in January. Also included is a $500 donation by the Inuvik Lion's Club.
Jay gave special thanks to those who helped out with the daffodil sales outside of Inuvik. Those people included Hazel Nerysoo in Fort McPherson, Lori Ann Elanik in Aklavik, Josie Green in Paulatuk, Brenda Lucas in Tuk and Angela Kuneyuna in Holman.
As well, Leticia Byrch helped distribute daffodils throughout the Inuvik Regional Hospital.
Jay said volunteers went to the schools and Ingamo Hall with daffodils, and also visited offices in town.
"I put together a route map and then we basically kind of went to every place," Jay said with a laugh.
She said she noticed many people were upbeat this year, and often would buy four or more bunches of daffodils, whereas in previous years they would have bought one.
"I'm strictly speaking for Inuvik but I know also that in the other communities, we got good support. We ended up running out of flowers, and we had to ask Yellowknife to send us a couple of more," she said.
"This is the largest amount we've raised selling daffodils in the whole 12 out of 13 years we've been involved."
Jay said the IRC wasn't able to take part last year due to a mixup.
The event has raised awareness about cancer. Jay said all the money raised by Daffodil Day goes into education and research within the NWT.
