Video: Hingham HS Secretary Fights Cancer With Daffodil Days

With the help of students, faculty, staff and parents, Hingham High School raised $1,300 for the American Cancer Society by purchasing daffodils.

secretary Monica Black was the school’s campaign coordinator for “Daffodil Days,’” a nation-wide program designed to sell daffodils to raise money for cancer research and to support cancer victims and their families.  The campaign ran from Jan. 6 and ended March 1.

“We all know someone who has been victimized by this disease,”  Black said. “It means a lot to me to give to an organization that could possibly help someone else."

Black took a special interest in the campaign because her son Ian was a cancer patient as a child and was treated at the Children’s Hospital Boston with a brain tumor.  Ian, now 24, has been cancer free for 22 years, but his mother will not stop giving back to the cancer organizations because she knows what it feels like to have a family member with the disease.

"Not every form of cancer is a death sentence," Black said.  "There are good stories out there.”

Black has been coordinating this campaign since she worked at the several years ago. This is now her second year organizing it at the high school.  Last year, raised $835, and this year they exceeded their goal of $1,000.

“I was really pleased with the $1,300, and I thought we could have raised more if we had a little more time.”

The high school  community raised money by purchasing bouquet bunches for $10, potted bulbs for $15, and various gifts of hope for $25.  According to Black,  daffodils are the first flower of spring and represent a symbol of hope for cancer patients. 

Black advertised her campaign by posting a  bulletin board in the main entrance of the school, which  listed facts about cancer and the American Cancer Society.  The Hingham High School TV production crew also created a video about Black and her personal connection to cancer, which was shown to the entire student body in an effort to promote her fundraising efforts.

Even though the daffodils were delivered during the  school week of March 14-18, Black is already planning for the future. Next year Black would like the sell individual daffodils so more students can afford them.

 “My objective for going forward next year and years after is to get the kids more involved,” Black said.  “The word is slowly getting out there that they can do it too.”

 To learn more about “Daffodil Days,” or to donate, visit http://www.cancer.org/Involved/Participate/DaffodilDays/index.

Check out the VIDEO of Monica Black, who explains her  daffodil campaign.  It can also be found HERE.