Hi guys! For my action project this semester I plan to put flowers and cards on cars parked in the parking lot of the Cancer Agency in Surrey. My goal is to bring a little joy to the patients day and help them feel supported. This project will take a lot of planning, and artwork so I have already started. I am also going to reach out to the Cancer Agency and ask if there is anything else I could do. I will be hand making all of the cards because I think it is more personal if I do. I have already made some of the cards because they take a while and the parking lot is quite big. As for the flowers I want them to be fresh so I will buy them the day before I go to the Cancer Agency.
After watching the Ted Talk, I did not think my action had any complexity. After doing multiple rounds of research I discovered something I never knew before, “Giving flowers to a cancer patient is generally discouraged.” I found out that it was discouraged due to the potential risks associated with the pollen and fungal spores. Cancer treatments can weaken the immune system making patients prone to allergic reactions. I was VERY concerned for my project because I didn’t want to eliminate the flower idea. I decided to do more research and found an article that informed me people going through treatment CAN have flowers, but I will have to buy low pollen, fragrance free flowers. I also came up with a list of possible choices; Orchids, Tulips, Dahlias, Peonies, Zinnias, Hydrangeas, Petunias, and Carnations. These are all flowers that are either fragrance free or have types that are fragrance free. Another option would be to make paper flowers. I am not sure yet, right now I’m focusing on making the cards.
I also really liked the Ted Talk we were encouraged to watch. I find it fascinating that giving someone too much can be hurtful. In addition, this quote really stuck with me for some reason, “Sylvia used to say she didn’t want to go through her life with a period at the end of a sentence, but she wanted to go through life with a question mark at the end of a sentence.”
This action is not directly sustainable, it is more of a random act of kindness. This is a project being done on one day (when I hand out the flowers and cards). I do know that the Cancer Agency tries to do all they can to support patients. For example they offer transportation, accommodation, and support groups. Overall this activity is not sustainable because of various reasons including time, my other responsibilities, and transportation. Although I do think it is worth the time and effort, and I think it will benefit people. I am not sure that the flowers, and cards will reach my target audience (Cancer patients) as it is a public parking lot. It may reach family or friends that are there supporting a patient. Or even a doctor. I am going to put my faith in society in hopes they will pass on the items to another car. I hope they pay it forward.
“For Cancer patients, little requests can mean everything.”
It is difficult to asses the question about opportunity because I can not go home with these people, I don’t know them personally, and I may never see them go out to their car. I know from personal experience someone doing this for my grandpa would have helped him a lot during his treatments. I also asked my Nana (cancer survivor) and she said it would have definitely brightened her day after her treatment or doctor appointment. Also based on research patients who receive acts of kindness are more positive and actually recover quicker. A positive mindset helps in recovery. Like I stated before, the Cancer Agency helps with necessities and opportunities. I can volunteer to help with those kinds of things but I don’t have the resources to give patients the bigger things that they need. This scenario reminds me of a book called “The Giving Tree”. As the book nears the end the tree is stuck in a predicament. He wants to give the boy everything but he has nothing left to give. I relate to the tree in the book because I can not give these people what they want/need. So right now I will just try my best to uplift spirits and spread kindness. I won’t truly know if my action has helped people, but based on what I’ve heard survivors say and combined with what I have read I honestly think it will help.
I tried calling the Cancer Agency and have not been able to speak to anyone. I will keep trying to call to see if there is anything they can suggest for my action or how I can improve my idea. After all they are the experts.
