The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Cooper University Hospital and Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center will soon be receiving fleece blankets to be given to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Twelve-year-old Meghan Vizzard recently organized a group to collect the blankets, and the idea is rapidly spreading.
Her teenage cousin, Katie White, was suffering from ovarian cancer when she made her a blanket to stay warm and feel more at ease during a nine-week course of chemotherapy.
“We just came up with the idea in January,” Meghan said.
She is a sixth-grader at Hartford School in Mt. Laurel.
According to a brochure Meghan created, “I chose a happy pattern to remind Katie of happier days ahead. I’ve made blankets for other friends that have been sick, and I just hoped that in some way, this would help her get through those long days of treatment.”
“Well, Katie used that blanket every day during her treatment,” she continued. “Many people have commented on the great gift idea and the comfort it has brought. It was just as I intended — warm and comforting. Katie liked it so much that she asked me to help her make a blanket for a friend that she met during her treatment.
“That’s when the idea of Project Cozies for Chemo started.”
Her mother, Jeanna Vizzard, has been helping with the logistics of the operation, and said her cousin taught Meghan how to make the blankets about four years ago.
Last month, after spreading the word through her school and by word of mouth in the community, Meghan hosted a blanket-tying party for two hours at Vaughan Hall in Medford Lakes.
She presented the idea to a total of four classes at the school and her teacher told others. About 120 people came together for the event.
“It went well,” said Jeanna.
Cozies4Chemo — as it is known — was able to raise approximately $1,200 from the day. Meghan bought all of the supplies, fleece and packaging bags.
That number translates to 116 blankets.
The original goal for the day was 80.
Some attendees finished their blankets on-site or donated already completed blankets.
“Everyone worked hard,” said Jeanna.
One blanket was sent to Virginia for Jeanna’s cousin’s friend undergoing chemotherapy. Another was sent to Texas for the cousin of an attendee who has been battling cancer for a long time.
“We thought the event was a big success,” she said.
When Meghan is not busy creating blankets, she is on the go with sports.
She plays basketball, lacrosse and field hockey. She also runs and swims.
Depending on her daily schedule, Meghan often works on making the blankets — sometimes, she can allocate two hours to the cause.
Each blanket tends to be different, she said. A pattern generally will be on one side with the other side solid.
As a happy ending, Katie is now cancer-free.
Meghan is probably going to host another event soon. She is contemplating applying to become a non-profit.
You can help the cause by making your own tied fleece blanket, donating fleece or giving a monetary donation for Meghan to purchase more material.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on the cause, visit www.cozies4chemo.org or contact [email protected].
