The Month of Yellow Flowers

     This April 2013 marks the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Cancer Society.   April is also the month to wear a Daffodil, the yellow flower used to show support for those whose lives have been touched by Cancer.  Even though I've been through the whole "Cancer ruined my day" thing, I never had direct experience with the CCS until recently.

     During the prior month of March I wrote about the joys of getting tested for Colon Cancer at the request of the CCS.   Given my history, how could I refuse?  A complete surprise however was the subsequent invitation by the CCS permitting me to be present for the announcement of a new research program targeting Brain Cancer.   Intrigued by the prospect of meeting people actively involved in Cancer research, I quickly accepted their kind invitation.

     So on a cold but wonderfully bright and sunny spring day, I arrive early and wander around the Biology building of the University of Windsor.  The UoW is my old 'alma mater' as a "mater" of fact.  While strolling around the building I run into a group of suit-and-tie types, closely shadowed by folks with formidable-sized cameras being aimed in the direction of the suits. Believing that I've found the promised Tour portion of the program to which I've been invited,  I nonchalantly join in and proceed along with the group as they visit various labs, showing the machines that will hopefully coerce more secrets on how Cancer works.  I meet the Doctor who will be the recipient of the CCS grant and she patiently explains to me how the process is intended to work.    Details may be found here.  Suffice to say that diagnosing a cancer in the brain as a Brain Cancer -and it's subsequent therapeutic treatment -is difficult.  A cancer can be in the brain as a result of a primary at some other area.  Unfortunately it seems that if you treat for the wrong primary, the results won't be good.  Thus the vital need for research of this nature.

     During my conversation with the recipient of the CCS research grant,  it slowly dawns on me that something is not quite what it ought to be.  It appears that this is an official tour for the CCS CEO and staff members.  I've unwittingly invited myself in.  I'm bemused, but that feeling turns to one of embarrassment as I'm called upon to pose in a group photo and I quickly realize I'm suffering from a minor fashion faux-pas.  It wasn't the lack of a tie, or lack of a sports jacket, or even that my dress shoes were more casual and less shiny than my counterparts. No it was when I realized that I was not wearing my Daffodil pin.  Here I was, the veteran (and scarred, I can prove it!) Cancer survivor, amongst the very people who provide researches with the funds to help guys like me.  And I'm not wearing their eye-catching and very distinct logo!

Hey bud, where's your yellow flower?

      No one seemed to mind, and at the promised (and tasty) luncheon there were numerous pins thoughtfully provided for people like me to show support for, well, people like me I suppose.

    The luncheon flew by as I chatted with various folks about their stories,  sharing that intangible camaraderie that only those that 'go through it' seem to have.  I gratefully thanked the  CCS and summarily returned to work, glad to have a peek at what kinds of things are required to do nitty-gritty  bio-medical research.   I'm so glad I'm in I.T.  But my Yellow Flower story did not end there.

     A few days later a package arrives by courier for me.   Inside is a token of thanks from the Canadian Cancer Society:

My own Daffodil pin garden. No watering required!

     April would remain cold and wet and unseasonable for this clime, but I needn't worry.  My Daffodil Garden is full of happy Yellow Flowers reminding me that Hope is always near.