The MIT Women's League has begun its 2002 Daffodil Days campaign, which raises money to fight cancer through sales of bouquets of daffodils.
Anytime this month, MIT community members can order daffodil bouquets through one of 75 department coordinators. There are posters in each department and a sign-up sheet near each coordinator's desk. Each bouquet is $6; the checks made out to the American Cancer Society will act as receipts for tax-deductible contributions to the organization. Daffodils will be delivered to departments on March 20, the week before spring vacation.
This is the fifth year the Women's League has organized the Daffodil Days campaign under the direction of Janet Plotkin, vice president for community service. Participation has grown from 16 departments in 1998 to 75 this year. The campaign has raised more than $51,000 for cancer research, treatment and education, almost half of that from last year's effort alone.
In addition to coordinating the campaign, the Women's League has tried to raise awareness among contributors about ways to cut cancer risks by giving up smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables, and other lifestyle changes.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 6, 2002.
