Day of Hope, Bright Moment in Tough Times Friday, March 09, 2012 Elementary students at Immaculate Conception and Eau Claire Ford brighten the day of many cancer patients today. The students raised $2514 and Eau Claire Ford matched with $500 for a grand total of $3014 to be donated to the local American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days program. The American Cancer Society Daffodil Days is a program to raise funds to bring daffodil bouquets to cancer patients that are going through treatments at our local Eau Claire hospitals. The American Cancer Society chose the daffodil because it is one of the first flowers of spring, so the daffodil is a symbol of hope. To the American Cancer Society, this flower represents the hope we all share for a future where cancer no longer threatens those we love. Joe Lustek, Community Relations at the local American Cancer Society commented, “I was amazed and stunned when I we received the donation from Immaculate Conception and Eau Claire Ford. The local generosity from IC elementary school is inspiring. From their donation and the donations from some other local groups, we will be able to deliver many bouquets to patients that need a bright moment in their tough journey. The administrative assistant at the American Cancer Society, Robyn Schultz, is a parent of a student at IC. She approached Mrs. Renee Cassidy, Principal to see if this could be one of the Lenten charities. Mrs. Cassidy lost her brother 10 years ago at the age of 45 to cancer. She is “touched and proud of her students and local businesses supporters.” Robyn shared a story from one cancer survivor’s experience with Daffodil Days.

Daffodils make me smile! ~Anonymous

I remember it as if it was yesterday. I hear that a lot from fellow cancer

survivors. It is like it was yesterday and a million years ago all at the same time.

A hard concept to understand, but one anyone who has gone through a difficult

journey understands, regardless of the disease or situation.

So when I meet people who have joined the cancer club I automatically bond

with them and think back to my journey. I was about half way through my

chemo, lost my hair and facing radiation and a year’s worth of iv cancer

treatment. My life was in turmoil, but I was doing my best to make it normal,

only through the love and support of God, my husband, family and friends.

Normal has a new meaning to anyone who has this experience.

And then something good and unexpected happens to change things and help the

healing.

One day in mid-March, I was walking out of the hospital, where I just finished a

radiation treatment. I was handed a beautiful bunch of daffodils in a vase.

Really, for me, I asked? And they told me that the American Cancer Society

held a fundraiser called Daffodil Days where people donated $ so I and all cancer

patients could have a day full of hope. Well, I am sure you can imagine my

appreciation to be able to come home with a beautiful reminder that I will get

through this journey.

Rick Mohr, owner at Eau Claire Ford was just returning from a funeral where someone close to him had passed from cancer. “Cancer has struck so many of us in this community. One of our core values is to give back to this community that we live in, and help local charities that support those struggling in this community.” To congratulate the kids for their generosity, Pizza Del Re is donating a pizza party to the top 10 fundraisers and one of their friends. During the Lenten season, all three RCS elementary schools donate each week to a charity. This year, the charities include the American Cancer Society, Sojourner House, Dyslectic Center, Father Wilger Scholarship Fund, Santa Cruz in Bolivia Mission, and a Peruvian Orphanage - Casa Hable Orphanage in Peru. Regis Catholic Schools is committed to preparing students for leadership and service in church and society. We are open to families of all faiths that identify with our Core Values.

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Media Relations Contacts: Anna Sizer Joe Lustek Rick Mohr Communications Director Community Relations Owner Regis Catholic Schools American Cancer Society Eau Claire Ford asizer@regiscatholicschools.com joe.lustek@cancer.org rick@eauclaireford.com Mobile: 715-533-0155 Office: 715-514-2250 x16 Mobile: 715-271-2206

Other Lenten Charity Websites: Santa Cruz, Bolivia Mission Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II Orphanage http://bit.ly/x2AEc8 http://bit.ly/xensI3