Women’s Center Plants Tulips to Raise Awareness
Students and community members gathered Saturday to plant pink tulips in front of the new Logan Regional Cancer Center located at 600 E. 1400 North as part of Plant A Pink Tulip Day.
“While the pink tulip bulbs are planted in the fall, they will bloom in the spring, representing part of a cycle that can teach patience, endurance and renewal,” said Patricia Stevens, director of the USU Women’s Center.
Plant A Pink Tulip Day began nine years ago to honor those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, Stevens said. The idea began when former Women’s Center Director Janet Osborne heard the story of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer whose last wish was to be remembered through planting pink tulips, Stevens said. By planting the tulips, Stevens said they hope to remember victims and raise awareness of breast cancer.
“It’s neat to drive through the area and see all the tulips,” said Logan resident Nancy Sassano, who has been a part of Plant A Pink Tulip Day for several years.
Despite the sprinkling of rain, about 40 people gathered to plant tulips to remember both survivors and victims of breast cancer.
“Even with the weather, people came,” Stevens said. “We had a great turnout.”
Mario Gonzalez, a senior majoring in civil engineering, said he went to support the cause and offer service.
“I like the outdoors, and I like service,” Gonzalez said.
April Ryce, president of the USU chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said the group is always looking for service activities and has participated in Plant A Pink Tulip Day for the past two years.
“It represents something important and makes people aware,” said Heather Rich, a senior majoring in social work who is also part of NASW.
Stevens said this awareness is crucial, especially for college students.
“They sometimes think they are invincible,” Stevens said, “but it can happen.”
Sally Russell, chair of the Women’s Center’s advisory board, urged everyone to get mammograms, citing one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Russell also asked that the victims of breast cancer be remembered as the tulips were planted.
“If you have someone who has died of of cancer, think of them while you plant,” Russell said.
During the planting, Stevens asked everyone to join in a moment of silence for victims of breast cancer. It hit especially close to home for Sassano, she said.
“I had a close childhood friend who died of cancer, and it’s a beautiful way to remember them,” Sassano said.
Twelve hundred bulbs were originally donated for Plant A Pink Tulip Day by Wuthrich Greenhouse, but Stevens said due to a schedule mix-up, the bulbs did not arrive in time. Stevens said Wuthrich’s, which donates the bulbs every year, stepped in and donated an additional 200 bulbs for Saturday’s event.
“(They) get our wonderful thanks,” Stevens said. “We didn’t get our shipment in time, so the man who owns it went out and bought the 200 bulbs himself.”
After the bulbs had been planted, Trish Martineau, staff assistant at the Women’s Center, urged everyone to come back and plant at the city offices located on 255 N. Main Street in approximately two weeks when the rest of the bulbs arrive.
“Heck yeah, I’ll be here in two weeks,” said Jen Franchina, a re-entry student majoring in family consumer and human development who works at the Women’s Center. “It’s good to be involved in the community and remember those who have gone through (cancer).”
The USU gymnastics team also had forms available for anyone who wanted to purchase a t-shirt in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The t-shirts were $10, and for every one sold, $3 was donated to aiding cancer research.