In celebration of its fifth anniversary, the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute is sponsoring the creation of a Making a Difference Commemorative Quilt to recognize those with or those who have had heart disease.

Designed by Suzanne Biddle of Maine Custom Made Quilts in Auburn, the quilt will feature squares displaying the handwritten name of someone who has cardiovascular disease or someone who had the disease and has died.

The finished quilt will be hung in October in the Charles Day Atrium at CMHVI.

"Negotiating a life-changing experience such as a cardiovascular disease can be likened to creating a patchwork quilt. The process of diagnosis and treatment, finding appropriate support, making lifestyle choices, and so on, is not unlike selecting fabrics and patterns for a quilt," said Cindie Rice, director outreach, prevention, wellness and cardiac rehabilitation at CMHVI.

"Putting pieces together to get the best result is a similar objective, whether managing your cardiac health or planning a quilt," she said.

The Making a Difference Commemorative Quilt will consist of six- by six-inch squares with different designs, fabrics and adornments to honor those who are living with heart disease as well as those who died from it.

For more information about purchasing a quilt square, call 795-8240 or e-mail prevention@cmhc.org.