Acts of Kindness Bring Hope and Inspiration During the Holiday Season

Dominic Rinaldi and Consuelito Medrano, M.D. share a moment of reflection at the flower table in the Harold Leever Cancer Center.

In honor of his late wife and inspired by the “26 Angels of Sandy Hook,” Dominic Rinaldi pledged to perform twenty-six acts of kindness in December. He has surpassed that commitment with his Cancer Patient Flower project. During the first week of December, Dominic gave away dozens of flower bouquets to cancer patients visiting the Harold Leever Cancer Center for treatments.

Dominic is familiar with the Leever Center and Saint Mary’s Oncology Department because for 15 years he accompanied his beloved wife, Antoinette, for her cancer treatments. Antoinette passed in May of 2022, but Dominic keeps her memory alive through this project.

Dominic says his goal is to, “brighten someone’s day and bring some hope, especially during the holidays.”

Over the course of the year, Dominic acquired 153 vases from area business and struck up a partnership with O’Rourke & Birch Florists for a deal on the fresh cut flowers. The flower and ribbon colors were selected in recognition of Relay for Life, an organization that was meaningful to Antoinette.

“I want to inspire patients to keep fighting,” said Dominic. “Especially during this time of year, we need to be grateful for what we have.”