Where the idea began
My dad died from pancreatic cancer at 64.
Nine days later, I lost my mom.
I needed something productive to do with my grief.
Somewhere along the way, I came across the idea of creating care packages for people undergoing cancer treatment. I honestly don’t remember exactly where I saw it, but I remember thinking it was something I could recreate in my own community.
It was a way to honor both of my parents.
And what started as something personal became a community effort that continued for years.
Comfort, packed with care
We created Hope Packages filled with comfort items for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Everything we included was approved by nurses.
The packages contained soft socks, activity books and pens, peppermints to help with the metallic taste some patients experience during treatment, gum, snacks such as granola bars, lotion, and chapstick.
Simple things. But things that could make a difficult day a little easier.
And the bags themselves were special, too.
Community members decorated them, from preschoolers all the way to senior citizens.
The supplies were a community effort as well. I purchased items, other volunteers purchased items, and people throughout the community donated what they could.
A community effort, year after year
We partnered with our local cancer center to distribute the packages.
Typically, we’d deliver 10 to 20 at a time. When the cancer center started running low, they’d call us, and we’d bring more.
No complicated distribution system. Just people working together to meet a need.
Over nearly a decade, with the help of family, friends, and an incredibly generous community, thousands of Hope Packages found their way into the hands of people beginning cancer treatment.
When I think about what makes me proud of this project, the answer is everything.
Honoring my parents. Providing a little comfort to people going through cancer treatment. Watching children, adults, and seniors participate. Seeing how many people were willing to help.
And the funny thing is, I didn’t invent the idea.
I borrowed it.
Sometimes that’s exactly how something wonderful begins.