Rose Sale Celebrates 16 Years of Supporting Cancer Care

WARE — Sept. 10 will mark the 16th anniversary of the annual Shirley Batsie Memorial Rose sale, which features a dozen roses for $8. The tradition carried on by Michele Lariviere, owner of Otto Florist & Gifts located in Ware, continues to further the vision of the late Shirley Batsie, who had long planned that her roses would provide a lifeline of comfort for patients and families while at the hospital for their cancer treatments.

The 2014 Rose Sale will run from Wednesday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, September 13. The annual sale has raised more than $236,000 in support of the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.

“Over the years, our store has donated the proceeds of well over 1 million roses to help keep cancer care local,” said Lariviere. “So many people have a hand in its success. Many volunteers help sell the roses both at my store and at many sites in the community, even area youth who are involved in a lot of the handling and transportation of hundreds of buckets of roses.

“The Ware football team has become a vital part of this annual event,” Lariviere added. “They report to the store every morning before class to help us bring buckets of roses from the coolers out onto the streets. The football team also helps to organize and load the delivery trucks which arrive daily and sometimes carry more than 200 dozen roses to each location. Their strength is absolutely necessary to complete the process of the rose sale.”

Lariviere said it’s heartwarming for him to think about the number of people who have been touched by the annual event. “Everyone that has a hand in the success of the rose sale work hard to support local families experiencing a cancer diagnosis and to ensure that they are able to receive care at our local hospital and remain close to their families, friends, and work.

“As a local business owner, I want to be sure that our community knows how much I appreciate their continued support, not only during the rose sale, but also their valued business all year long,” he added. “I am grateful to be a part of the history of Ware. Otto Florist has been in business since 1927. It’s an honor to continue to be part of so many personal events, whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, a new baby, a get well, a memorial, or a fund-raiser to support our local hospital. I take great pride in being the local florist.”

The Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital provides access to physician specialists who offer the most current cancer care, including evaluations, diagnostic treatment, and national research protocols. A team of certified oncology nurses provide chemotherapy services, blood-product transfusions, palliative care, counseling, and support, and are joined by clinical social workers who provide counseling, education, and support groups for patients, families, and caregivers.