Tulips Against Tumors
Event Overview
The Tulips Against Tumors Tribute was launched at the same time the Foundation
was launched in September 2005 as a way of (A) raising awareness of brain tumors,
(B) raising money for the Foundation, and (C) honoring all those who have passed
from a brain tumor or are suffering through a personal battle right now.
The idea is for supporters to purchase tulip bulbs from the Foundation during a designated period and then to plant them on a designated National Planting Day. Last year, tulip sales ran from August 1st to September 30th and the National Planting Date was on November 1st. The five week time period in-between was used to order and receive the bulbs from our distributor, pack them into individual orders and then get orders to their respective purchasers. We plan to take a similar approach this year with the specific dates still to be determined.
Purchases can be made directly from the Foundation or from a volunteer salesperson. Similar to the experience of Girl Scouts selling their famous cookies, we have found that many Foundation supporters have not only purchased tulips from us, but have also offered to sell on our behalf. We would like to thank these generous individuals who dedicated their time and energy to our cause. Clearly this program would not be a true success without your direct involvement.
On that note, we are proud to say that the event has grown in size and scope each year, as well as in the level of national awareness it draws to the brain tumor cause. In fact, in 2008, the event’s biggest year ever, over 26,000 tulip bulbs were sold. In addition, to date, over 65,000 bulbs have been sold to individuals in 15 different States. You may have even seen them in your hometown.
Proceeds from The Tulips Against Tumors Tribute will help to provide funds for our Family Grant Program, which financially supports patients and families who are struggling with this disease, and have a significant financial need.
If you are interested in selling for us or helping in the packing and
distribution process, please let us know by dropping us an e-mail at: diane.freed@khgbraintumorfoundation.org
Background
Written by Susan Morisson, Tulips Against
Tumors creator and Mother of Foundation President, Chris Grundner
When I first met Kelly I was eager to get to know her and find out what we had in common – other than our both loving my son, Chris! I was so grateful to have her in my life as the daughter I always wanted. As it turned out we had several things in common, one of which was a love for tulips.
After Kelly was stricken with the brain tumor, I was beside myself with her suffering and wanted desperately to do something to let her know that she was in my heart every minute of every day, even though I was so far away. It was then that Chris reminded me how much she loved tulips. I was thrilled, not only because I remembered the conversation she and I had years ago, but also because they were in season, so I was able to have some sent to her immediately.
As always, Kelly was so thankful for the tulips, especially the purple ones. She said that she loved tulips because "they are so beautiful," and “they always make me smile.” She also told me at that time that if she could, “she would paint the whole world with tulips”.
I remember telling her that one of the reasons that I loved tulips was because they were so sturdy (interestingly enough, one of Kelly’s doctors had just described Kelly using that same exact word) and that they never actually die, but just keep renewing themselves over and over again, each year more beautiful and vibrant than the year before. I also told Kelly that I believed that the life within each bulb was so strong that even after being dormant and out of our sight for a while, they always, always bloomed again.
As fate would have it, one of the next times I saw such beautiful tulips was at the luncheon following Kelly's memorial service. I'll never forget the sight of them – the room was overflowing with tulips of every color and type, each one a symbol of the love and utter grief of the hundreds of people who attended to bid her farewell that day.
As I thought about how we could acknowledge the memory of Kelly, it occurred to me that it would be a true gesture of our love to remember Kelly by helping to make her dream of “painting the whole world with tulips” come true. At the same time, I tried to think of a way we could package the idea to help the Foundation grow, as well. So, with a little bit of thought, the Tulips Against Tumors Tribute came to life just in time for the Foundation launch event in September of 2005.
Like the tulip that is never ending and ever renewing, we trust that Kelly continues to grow and unfold in the beautiful and light-filled place that she lives now. Although she is beyond our view right now, we believe that she will know that we are remembering her together in this way and smile her beautiful smile upon us.
We are proud to say that The Tulips Against Tumors Tribute has received some press in prior years. This can be viewed by clicking on the following links.
The Community News (DE) – November 12, 2007
Wilmington
News Journal (DE) – September 8, 2007
Worchester County Times (MD) – November 9, 2006
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