The tragic death of a friend spurred Roberta Hershon to found Hope in Bloom, a charity which plants gardens at the homes of breast cancer patients. She tells us about her work.

Exposure to nature helps to lower blood pressure, boost energy, reduce stress, sharpen minds, teach patience and can give way to spontaneous smiles. Gardens are magical. They touch our senses, let us escape from our daily routines, lower anxiety levels and give us a more positive outlook as well as increase the feel good hormone, serotonin, in our bodies. As if that’s not enough, taking care of a garden beats a trip to the gym any day. All these benefits are magnified when someone is sick.

My oldest friend, Beverly, heard the four words women fear most: ‘You have breast cancer.’ During her ordeal, I took care of her garden and filled her house with flowers. These small gestures kept her spirits up as she endured the harsh realities and emotional rollercoaster of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She looked forward to the latest riot of color outside her window or a new bouquet and was able to focus on something other than her situation.

My aha moment occurred when Bev died. To honour her memory and improve the quality of life for other breast cancer patients, I started the non-profit Hope in Bloom in 2007. The all-volunteer program has planted 75 indoor, patio and outdoor gardens free of charge at the homes of women and men in Massachusetts being treated for breast cancer.

The medical community confirms surroundings play a role in physical and emotional well-being, which is one of the reasons healing gardens have sprung up in hospital settings. Gardens provide a special place to heal while delivering their own brand of medicine.

Susan Farmer had Stage IV breast cancer when her Hope in Bloom garden was installed. She said: ‘Knowing my garden was sleeping right outside my door waiting to burst into bloom kept me going through the long New England winter.’

Kimm DelGizzi, another recipient, summed up her experience by saying: ‘When you are going through chemotherapy so many cells are dying — my hair, eyebrows, fingernails and toenails were gone — and you see a garden blooming, you realize flowers die and come back. You have to assume your body will do the same. It is amazing what my garden has done for my spirit. I know I will eventually get back to normal.’

Gardens are a calming influence in our lives. They allow those who are not up to snuff to sit, meditate and participate in the rhythm of life. Take action. Plant a lush, verdant oasis for someone who is not feeling well. You’ll be glad you did.