Ellie Fund honors woman who anonymously sent flowers to cancer patients for years
By Sera Congi, Imani Clement
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BOSTON (WCVB) — Flowers have a way of making any day brighter – and a local 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, 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.
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