Beautiful blooms surprise Iowa cancer patients
By Laura Terrell
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DES MOINES, Iow (KCCI) — Sometimes the most colorful surprises come during the darkest times. That’s exactly what happened at John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines.
“I have a friend who is a cancer patient here, and she told me about so many of the wonderful programs that have enriched her life, and when I had the opportunity to make a donation in kind, I took advantage of it,” said Catherine Schut.
Schut owns a beekeeping flower farm in Prairie City called Hive and Petal. She often drops off beautiful bouquets of flowers at John Stoddard Cancer Center to brighten the day of cancer patients. Schut was dropping off 40 bouquets the day KCCI was there.
“This was such a shock and a very pleasant surprise,” said Meddy Paulus.
Paulus, 45, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2025 after a routine mammogram. It came as a shock as she had just arrived back in Des Moines after competing in a elite level weight lifting competition.
“Since I have gone on this journey and continue to go on it, I am just a huge advocate of changing the narrative for cancer patients,” said Paulus.
Paulus says her cancer journey has been tough, but acts of kindness, like a surprise gift of flowers brightens her day and inspire her to keep going.
“It was a really great way to just kind of lift the spirits,” said Paulus.
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