American Cancer Society Gives To Albany Area Cancer Patients

Thursday, March 24, 2022 (Albany NY) – Thursday, the American Cancer Society and volunteers from Empire BlueCross surprised local cancer patients at Albany Medical Center Hospital by presenting them with beautiful butterscotch-colored bouquets of daffodils to welcome spring.

Daffodils, recognized by the American Cancer Society as the symbolic flower of hope, are at the root of the Society’s annual Daffodil Days campaign in which individuals and companies pre-order and purchase the flowers while contributing to the Society’s work to improve the lives of patients and families touched by cancer through discovery, advocacy, and patient support.

Thanks to the generosity of Empire BlueCross, more than 190 budding daffodil bouquets were ordered, bundled, and presented as “Gifts of Hope”. Staff representatives who care for hematology/oncology patients at Albany Med. accepted the flowers on behalf of their patients.

“Cancer touches all of us in one way or another,” noted Cynthia, Associate Director, Development. “By supporting the American Cancer Society through Daffodil Days, volunteers are not only warming the hearts of others with these beautiful first flowers of spring, but also helping to advance the American Cancer Society mission of creating a world without cancer through the critical areas of discovery, advocacy, and patient support.”

Dollars raised through Daffodil Days enable the Society to offer free programs and services that help people face cancer with courage and optimism, while it provides day-to-day help, emotional support, and 24-hour information to help ease the cancer experience. Additionally, daffodil contributions provide the Society with much-needed dollars to fund groundbreaking cancer research, educate people about the importance of cancer prevention and early detection and advocate for meaningful public health policies that benefit the community.

Daffodil Days sponsor, Empire BlueCross is also contributing to the cause through volunteerism. Local employees are donating their time to bunch bouquets of daffodils and deliver to people in treatment at Albany Medical Center. “We are on a mission to materially and measurably improve the health of all New Yorkers and supporting those living with cancer is an important priority for all of us,” said Jason O’Malley, regional vice president of sales and Albany market leader, Empire BlueCross. “We look forward to joining American Cancer Society to spread cheer in the Capital Region through Daffodil Days.”

For more information, please visit www.acscapitalregionevents.com... or contact Cynthia Somma at Cynthia.Somma@cancer.org or 518-245-3479.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.

About Empire BlueCross

Serving the 11 northeastern counties of New York State, Empire BlueCross (Empire) is on a mission to improve the health of New Yorkers materially and measurably. Empire is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Empire is committed to improving lives and communities, and in 2020 and 2021, Empire BlueCross was named one of Albany Business Review’s Best Places to Work. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com.

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