NORWAY — When Deb Skinner told her three grandchildren, Hannah Cook, Lukas Oliveira and Lilley Oliveira, she was sewing some ‘comfort items’ items for cancer patients, they asked if they could help her. Especially since, according to Lukas, “my great-grandmother had cancer,” according to a news release from the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine.
So she taught them how to make the small pillows that fit under a breast cancer patient’s arm after surgery, and the “port protectors” that wrap around a seatbelt to ease pressure on the area of the chest where many cancer patients receive their chemotherapy treatments.
“We keep a good supply of these comfort items on hand at our center, as they are essential items that patients are apt to use daily during the period they are undergoing cancer treatment. All of the items are new, and handmade by many volunteers throughout Maine,” said Diane Madden, executive director of the Cancer Resource Center of Maine in Norway, according to the release. “I am glad Hannah, Lukas and Lilley could come in to see our center and learn how their good work will have such a huge impact on others.”
And, according to Grandma Deb, “if you teach a child how good it makes you feel by ‘paying it forward,’ they will be less likely to be looking for ‘feel good’ activities that may lead to bad decisions.”
The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine is a 501c3 nonprofit organization embracing anyone affected by cancer in a community that offers hope and caring through support, education, and concepts in healthy living. They offer free programs, complementary therapies, weekly virtual classes, travel assistance, support groups and comfort items – because no one should face cancer alone.
The center is located at 199 Main St.
For more information, visit crcofwm.org; find the center on Facebook; or call 207-890-0329.
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