Cast Off Against Cancer: A Time to Remember and to Honor
Alicia Hendrix sheds a tear before dropping her daisies into the river.
As she stands on the footbridge above the Oostanula River, Alicia Hendrix wipes back a tear as she remembers her mother-in-law who passed away from cancer two years ago. Then she slowly releases a handful of daisies, purchased to honor what she called a life well-lived and a life cut short.
Alicia is one of many who participate in the annual tradition of the Daisy Drop, which takes place at the end of the Cancer Navigators’ Cast Off Against Cancer event. As a Floyd Medical Center employee, she works with cancer patients every day, so the disease is constantly on the forefront of her thoughts.
She has been on a Cast Off crew at Floyd that helped raise funds for Cancer Navigators. Alicia’s 13-year old daughter was also a part of that team. “We wore head bands as part of our team uniform,” said Alicia. “My daughter took her headband off and wrapped them around her daisies. She wanted to make a special bouquet in honor of her grandmother, who was very special to her.”
Alicia understands the importance of supporting Cancer Navigators through events like Cast Off Against Cancer. “When you have cancer, even if you survive, it takes everything out of you, from your livelihood to your emotional and physical strength. Cancer Navigators is so important because they help patient after patient with every situation they face. That is why we need to keep giving support to this organization. I recommend this valuable resource to every patient.”
The community is invited to attend the Cast Off Against Cancer event, being held on June 4 at 2 p.m. at Heritage Park in Rome. Individuals can take part in the Daisy Drop by purchasing daisies online or the day of the event.