Evelyn Beall, owner of Flowers by Evelyn, in Westminster, has a personal stake in comforting those who are fighting cancer.

She's a cancer survivor herself, and said her mother-in-law is currently undergoing cancer treatments at the Carroll Regional Cancer Center, part of Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.

"There are very good people out there (at the center)," Beall said, "and she loves them."

Beall is one of four local florists in Westminster who are brightening the spirits of cancer patients by making and donating floral centerpieces to Carroll Regional Cancer Center's chemotherapy room.

Cancer center officials said that in addition to Flowers by Evelyn, florists participating include The Cutting Garden, The Flower Box II and Dutterer's Flower Shop in Westminster.

Officials said the donations began after Paula Ehmann, a Westminster resident and cancer patient, asked if florists might be willing to create arrangements to make the chemotherapy room a little bit brighter for patients while they are receiving treatment.

The florists all agreed — and have committed to contributing a centerpiece each week for alternating months throughout the year.

According to Ehmann, the flowers make an enormous difference in helping her relax and uplift her spirits during treatments.

She believes it's doing the same for others as well.

"The room is a very clinical setting, and when you look over and see these beautiful flowers, for that moment it transports you to a different place," Ehmann said.

"The (chemotherapy) room signified hope for me," she added, "and you need to have signs of life and signs of hope, and for me that's what the flowers did."

Beall said she wanted to be part of the program, and her family's experiences make the project quite rewarding.

"You're there four or five hours for a treatment, lying there sleeping or reading," she said. "You need something.

"If I can brighten somebody's day, that's what God tells me to do."