UMaine Plans Tulip Planting Wednesday for Cancer Research
Contact: Vicky Blanchette, 581-2204/944-2695; George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — For the fourth year in a row, University of Maine volunteers will plant a pink tulip garden on the UMaine campus in front of Fogler Library Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m., to raise funds for cancer research through the Maine Cancer Foundation.
In total, 30,000 pink tulips have been planted in more than 80 gardens around Maine to raise funds, create awareness and support those affected by breast cancer. Each garden plants seeds of hope, beautifies the community and gives hope to those with cancer.
The Pink Tulip Project is a fundraising project that benefits the Women’s Cancer Fund at the Maine Cancer Foundation. Founded in 2006 by breast cancer survivor Robin Whitten, the Pink Tulip Project raises money and awareness through the planting gardens of pale pink tulips across the state. The project has raised more than $120,000 over the years, 100 percent of which has been donated to the Women’s Cancer Fund.
Donations can be made through the UMaine garden initiative here, or by check made out to the Maine Cancer Foundation through one of the following volunteer organizers: UMaine’s Senior Skull Society, the All Maine Women, Women’s Symposium, the Landscape Horticulture Club, or Victoria Blanchette, Department of Engineering media contact, or Mary Rumpho-Kennedy, a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology. Additional volunteers are welcome.
The Pink Tulip Project started as one garden in Portland. By last year’s planting season, the project had grown to nearly 70 gardens. Thousands of pink tulips bloomed in the spring as a result.
Last year, the event raised $50,000, which helped with research, education and patient support programs.