World Rose Day for cancer patients is observed in honour of Melinda Rose, a Canadian girl, who was diagnosed with Askin's Tumour, a rare blood cancer when she was just 12-years-old. Doctors said that she only has few more weeks to live, but because of her undying spirit and hope, she went on to live for six months. She spent this time cheering up other cancer patients by sharing poems, letters, verses, e-mails, etc, with them.

Her kindness and hope in such difficult times of her life, worked as an inspiration for World Rose Day.