Paying It Forward

While SewCalGal doesn't typically share personal information, I feel this story needs to be preceded with some personal insights......

This past year SewCalGal had an opportunity connect with a quilter and fellow blogger who is active in making quilts for cancer patients, including breast cancer patients.  While I have made many pink ribbon quilts for fundraisers for Susan G. Komen as well as to give to people fighting breast cancer, it has been awhile since I've had time to do so.  And, there were some blocks and fabrics in my stash waiting to be turned into more pink ribbon quilts. 

 It was when I met Kathy Gordon (Kwilty Pleasures) that I thought she and her quilty friends could probably turn my pink ribbon UFOs into finished projects to make a difference for someone that needed a quilty hug, faster than I could.  Thus, I packaged up my UFO pink ribbon blocks and fabrics and shipped them to Kathy.

In a short time, Kathy sent me back photos of various quilts that she and her friends had made with my pink ribbon stash and she shared insights on how these quilts were given to those dealing with breast cancer.  Needless to say I was delighted and I thought you may want to see photos of a few of these projects today:

Kathy and her friends are also getting ready for their Annual Quilt Day with the James Stitching Sister group of volunteers.  There will be about 200 quilters that will get together for a day of quilting, to make quilts for cancer patience.

Event Date:  Saturday, April 5, 2014
Location:      Columbus, Ohio


Here is some info from Kathy about this group:

The James Stitching Sisters makes lap quilts for various groups of cancer patients at James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute. Their program initially started in 2005 with breast cancer patients and has expanded over the years. Each woman/man receives a lap quilt of their color choice, a tote bag, and personalized card.  As you might imagine, this offering from our staff invokes significant appreciation from the patient/family, creating a sense of emotional and physical warmth. To date we have provided over 6,000 quilts. 

Those patients who currently receive a lap quilt include:

    - Breast cancer patients at Stefanie Spielman   Comprehensive Breast Center
- Cancer patients at OSU East campus
- Children that receive radiation therapy at The James.
- Lung cancer patients
-Gynecology cancer patients that receive chemotherapy.
- Diversity Enhancement project at University East.

SewCalGal wants to increase awareness of the James Sewing Sisters.  And also see if anyone has any fabrics, quilt tops, or blocks, that may be appropriate for this group to use to turn into quilts for cancer patients.  You too may have some UFOs in your stash that this group could turn into finished projects.  Or, you may want to make a block, top or finish a quilt specifically for this cause.

Any donations should be sent to me at this address:

Kathy Gordon
161 Strathsprey Drive  
Blacklick, OH  43004

You can also email Kathy Gordon if you have questions.

Kathy Gordon can also be found at:

Blog - http://kwiltypleasures.blogspot.com

ETSY - http://www.etsy.com/shop/KwiltyPleasures

Lastly, Rosie's Calico Cupboard has a free pink ribbon quilt pattern, which is what I used to make the blocks that were given to Kathy and her group.  I also adapted this block to make a larger wallhanging size pink ribbon that I've made for fundraisers, as well as to give to those fighting breast cancer.  And I wrote a tutorial for my wallhanging version.