Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll will make an appearance at the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days Kick-Off dinner Thursday at the Radisson Hotel in Shenango Township.

The cash bar will open at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner and program will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

The fund-raiser, which historically coincides with the coming of spring, is expected to raise over $35,000 locally and $3.7 million in the state. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Daffodil Days in Pennsylvania.

"The community's support of Daffodil Days over the past 30 years has been tremendous," said Mercer County Commissioner Olivia Lazor, 2003 Daffodil Days chairperson. "We're looking forward to our best sales year yet, so we can find a cure for cancer, while helping those affected by it in this community."

Funds raised during Daffodil Days support American Cancer Society services to patients and their families in Mercer County.

Donations help to support services such as transportation to outpatient appointments and treatments, school health programs, helping patients and their families through support groups, financial assistance with medications and 24 hour access to cancer information through (800) 227-2345 and www.cancer.org.

In addition to funding local government programs and services, the American Cancer Society is the leader in non-governmental funding for cancer research, funding 32 Nobel Prize winning researchers. Currently, more than $24 million in American Cancer Society research grants are in effect in Pennsylvania.

Daffodil sales are under way in local businesses, work places and organizations. Flowers will be ready for delivery or pick-up during the week of March 17. A bouquet of 10 flowers costs $7, a "Blooming Crazy" bouquet is $16 and a "Bunny and a Bunch" is $25.

Volunteers are needed to help with flower preparation and delivery as well as staffing direct sales sites during the week of March 17.

To order flowers, make reservations for the kick-off dinner or to volunteer, contact the American Cancer Society Mercer County Unit at (724) 346-3529.