UP WITH HER TODAY. I WAS DIAGNOSED 20 YEARS AGO. CHIP SPALDING RECALLS THE DAY SHE RECEIVED FLOWERS WHILE FIGHTING BREAST CANCER. THIS IS A SURPRISE. ARE THESE FOR ME? AND HE SAID YES. AND I’LL JUST NEVER, NEVER, EVER FORGET THAT DAY. HOW DID THOSE FLOWERS MAKE YOU FEEL? FABULOUS. SHE WANTED TO SHARE THAT JOY WITH OTHERS. SO AN IDEA BLOSSOMED. SPALDING BEGAN PAYING FOR FLOWER DELIVERIES TO OTHER PATIENTS WITH THE HELP OF THE FUND. IT REALLY IS A VERY AUTHENTIC WAY TO SAY YOU’RE HERE AND WE SEE YOU, AND WE KNOW THAT YOU’RE STRUGGLING AND YOU’RE NOT ALONE. BUT SPALDING CHOSE TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, AND FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS RECEIVED FLOWERS FROM A SECRET FERRY, AND THE CARD READS NOTHING LIKE FLOWERS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT THEM FROM A FRIEND OF THE ELEPHANT. SEABURY. BUT LAST NIGHT, SPALDING SUPERHERO IDENTITY WAS REVEALED AT THE FUND’S ANNUAL GALA. THE PATIENT SHE HELPED THROUGH THE YEARS, NOW GIVING HER FLOWERS. I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT ANY SORT OF AN IMPACT. AND LAST NIGHT, IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS. AND THE MOMENT MARKS A NEW CHAPTER. THE EMILY FUND WILL NOW ENSURE CHIP’S GARDEN WILL GROW IN PERPETUITY THROUGH A SPECIAL FUND. PARTNERING WITH WINSTON FLOWERS, SO MORE BOUQUETS WILL REACH MORE PATIENTS. I THINK IT’S MEDICINE FOR THEM IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY. ULTIMATELY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT DOES FOR PEOPLE? MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY AND THEY REMEMBER THE DAY. AND IT JUST IS A LIFT. IT’S A COULD SAY IT’S A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN CH
Woman honored for anonymously sending flowers to cancer patients for years
Flowers have a way of making any day brighter – and a breast cancer survivor has secretly spread that joy to other patients for over a decade.Ruth Spalding, also known as Chip, remembers how a flower delivery gave her a boost during cancer treatments 20 years ago. For the last 11 years, through the Ellie Fund, which provides support services for breast cancer patients in Massachusetts, Spalding has paid it forward, funding flower deliveries to go to patients anonymously. “It is a very authentic way to say, ‘You’re here, and we see you, and we know that you’re struggling and you’re not alone,'” Ellie Fund Executive Director Meredith Mendelson said.Now this flower fairy’s work is no longer a secret. The Ellie Fund is creating an endowment to make the effort permanent.”It makes people happy, and they remember the day. It’s just a lift – you could say it’s a breath of fresh air,” Spalding said. Spalding’s secret identity was revealed Sunday night at the Ellie Fund’s annual gala. Many of the patients who received flowers during their most challenging times were there to say thank you. “I never thought about any sort of an impact, and last night it was very obvious,” Spalding said.The Ellie Fund will now ensure Spalding’s garden grows in perpetuity through a special fund, partnering with Winston Flowers, so more bouquets can reach more patients.
Flowers have a way of making any day brighter – and a breast cancer survivor has secretly spread that joy to other patients for over a decade.
Ruth Spalding, also known as Chip, remembers how a flower delivery gave her a boost during cancer treatments 20 years ago.
For the last 11 years, through the Ellie Fund, which provides support services for breast cancer patients in Massachusetts, Spalding has paid it forward, funding flower deliveries to go to patients anonymously.
“It is a very authentic way to say, ‘You’re here, and we see you, and we know that you’re struggling and you’re not alone,'” Ellie Fund Executive Director Meredith Mendelson said.
Now this flower fairy’s work is no longer a secret.
The Ellie Fund is creating an endowment to make the effort permanent.
“It makes people happy, and they remember the day. It’s just a lift – you could say it’s a breath of fresh air,” Spalding said.
Spalding’s secret identity was revealed Sunday night at the Ellie Fund’s annual gala.
Many of the patients who received flowers during their most challenging times were there to say thank you.
“I never thought about any sort of an impact, and last night it was very obvious,” Spalding said.
The Ellie Fund will now ensure Spalding’s garden grows in perpetuity through a special fund, partnering with Winston Flowers, so more bouquets can reach more patients.
