Sunflowers of hope fill St. Thomas area fields
A St. Thomas area farmer has turned his darkest day into the brightest field in the London region.
Jay Curtis, 59, has thousands of sunflowers in bloom on several acres of land.
The flowers are a way of giving back to healthcare workers following a personal bout with cancer.
At 57, a PSA test and a follow-up biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of prostate cancer. “It changes the way you look at life after you go through something like that,” Curtis tells CTV London.
Grateful for his quick recovery, Curtis decided to plant sunflowers as a fundraiser for the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). His first effort raised over $10,000 in donations and revenue from selling the seeds for cooking oil. Now, the second season will go towards his area hospital.
Sunflowers for Hope field near St. Thomas, Ont. on Aug. 8, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV London)
“This year, we went with the St. Thomas local hospital, just for the chemo department. Last year was about me and what I did. This year is about other people.”
And that extends to the fields, where a neighbour offered up his pasture land to expand the “Sunflowers for Hope” project.
“It’s been a trying time for the last couple of years,” Mike Bechard reflects as he thinks of his neighbour’s battle with cancer.
Mike Bechard donated some of his former pasture land to expand the Sunflowers for Hope Project. (Sean Irvine/CTV London)
He says the decision to proceed with the crop was an easy one to make. “And if we can give back to the community and to the medical department, it would be great, because we’re all affected somehow,” Bechard said.
It's a point echoed by Curtis, who often wonders if his fields will be visited by others battling cancer and looking for hope.
“I’ve been there. It can end well, and that’s the message. Never give up hope!”.
The sunflowers are located on Mapleton Line, just north of St. Thomas. The public is invited to walk through the fields and take pictures. More information can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.