Thursday, October 1, 2026
A wave of pink will bloom across Glen Cove next spring as a living symbol of hope, resilience, and the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Last Saturday, 22 volunteers — many of them local students — joined forces with Glen Cove CARES and the Glen Cove Beautification Commission to plant 1,800 pink tulip bulbs throughout the city. The annual tradition is part of an awareness campaign that began nearly three decades ago, founded by Terry Petikas, a breast cancer survivor and the founder of Glen Cove CARES.
The project’s mission is simple but powerful: to serve as a visible reminder that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Each year, CARES partners with the Beautification Commission to plant tulip bulbs donated by DeVroomen Garden Products. Once they bloom, they transform the city’s public spaces into bright displays of pink, symbolizing support for survivors, patients, and families affected by the disease.
The tulips are planted in prominent locations across Glen Cove, including behind City Hall, at the Veterans Memorial on North Lane, near the Civic Signboard at the entrance to the city, in Pratt Park, on Pulaski Street, and at the triangle at Highland Road and St. Andrews Lane. These high-traffic spots are chosen to ensure that the message of awareness reaches as many people as possible.
“It was such a wonderful weekend for our annual pink tulip planting,” Lora Cusumano, the chair of the Beautification Commission, said. “We were blessed with amazing weather and a wonderful turnout of student volunteers who brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the project. Glen Cove’s community pride is growing, and we’re always excited to welcome new volunteers who want to help make the city even more beautiful.”
Among the volunteers was Nishka Baboolal, a 15-year-old student in the city’s school district participating through the Glen Cove School District’s Key Club. “I thought it was a nice opportunity to make the community a nicer place,” she said.
Beyond raising awareness, Glen Cove CARES plays a critical role in supporting residents affected by breast cancer. Each year, the organization assists three to five people, providing up to $3,000 per person to help cover expenses such as medical bills, homecare, transportation to chemotherapy, mortgage payments, and food costs.
