Hope Blooms Welcomes First Ever-Honorary Chair
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA- (January 2, 2018) Gems of Hope is proud to announce the fifth Hope Blooms campaign. Hope Blooms provides the Corridor the opportunity to purchase fresh cut, bud stage daffodils for themselves or area cancer patients in treatment. There are many other great products included in the fundraiser too. Sales begin Tuesday, January 2, 2018 and go through January 31, 2018. The product will be delivered March 14, 2018. Newport’s Flowers and gifts on Wilson Ave is collaborating with Gems of Hope this year and will serve as the event headquarters and a place where the public can pick up orders.
Gems of Hope is pleased to announce its first ever-honorary event chair. Pam Towe of Norway, Iowa will lead efforts to help Gems of Hope and Hope Blooms reach even further throughout the Corridor. Pam is a cancer survivor and a long time Gems of Hope supporter. “I know first-hand the impact that Gems can have on a cancer patient when they receive one of the “gifts of hope.” Receiving a gift during my cancer treatment had a huge effect on my outlook and my attitude. Gems does so many great things for patients and families, I am beyond proud to be a part of this effort.”, commented Towe.
Gems of Hope, Inc. supports cancer patients and their families. At the core of its programs is the “gifts of hope” distribution. Volunteers handcraft cards with inspirational sayings and mount handmade earrings or bookmarks, or a serenity circle/stone to the card. The gifts are distributed in oncology clinics and hospitals throughout the Corridor. Gems also offers a kids camp for ages 5-12 dealing with a cancer diagnosis, a web site for teens, a phone app, a scholarship program for high school seniors and cancer libraries for schools.
The 2018 Hope Blooms presenting sponsor is the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center. Other sponsors include; Mercy Medical Center, Radiation and Oncology of Cedar Rapids, Schneider Electric, Eastern Iowa Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Hills Bank and Trust Company, Worley, Banker’s Trust, General Mills, Van Meter, Fairfax State Savings Bank, Nations Financial, Community Savings Bank, Clark’s Pharmacy, Synergy Home Care, U of I Community Credit Union, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, and The Ghosh Center. In kind service providers include Newport’s Flowers and Gifts, J&A Printing, Kirkwood Horticultural Department, Tall Grass Business Resources, Lamar Advertising and The Gazette.
