By Kay Alston
When my paternal grandmother died in 1974 as a result of undetected breast cancer that spread throughout her body I was 13 years old. At that time I knew that I wanted to do something with cancer patients, but I didn't know what. For years I have bought cards from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas; I have donated money to the Komen Foundation; and I recently started participating in Relay for Life. But, these impersonal donations of money and time never satisfied the urge to personally touch those who are suffering.
Finally, last summer, at age 41 I figured out how I could do just
that -- I started organizing a volunteer group that teaches chemotherapy
patients how to knit while they receive their treatments.
"Stitches for Time" is the unofficial name of the group that
I am promoting in the Annapolis and Baltimore, Maryland and Washington,
D.C. area hospitals and cancer centers.
My idea for this group is not an original one - it came from an article titled, "Knitting: The New Yoga," published in the March, 2002 issue of Health Magazine. In addition to espousing the stress relieving benefits of knitting for otherwise healthy people, the author describes a volunteer group in Seattle, Washington organized by Tanya Parieaux, a nurse and breast cancer survivor. Parieaux's group, "Threads of Life," evolved out of her love for knitting and "belief in [its] healing power." When I spoke with her by phone in May 2002, her passion and commitment to her project radiated through the phone lines because, as she said, "it works." Parieaux knew that it worked because when she "felt like dying inside. Knitting helped her feel like she was moving forward and creating life."
Finally, Dr. Julie Gralow, who is a breast-cancer specialist and sponsor of Parieaux's group, explains how such an activity affects a patient's physiology: "The repetitive action of knitting helps to relieve emotional stress, which can reduce the body's ability to tolerate chemotherapy and magnify unpleasant side effects."
Shortly after reading that article I met a colleague, who is my age, on the day that she learned that she had breast cancer. The timing of that meeting was profound. A few months later I met yet another colleague who is my age, who had just begun treatment for breast cancer. My idea was validated.
In June, 2002 I started contacting the cancer centers and hospitals in Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland. While everyone I spoke with was very enthusiastic about my idea, only two hospitals have helped me "pilot" my project in their cancer centers. Currently, I am working with the Cancer Center at Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. In this center, outpatients receive chemotherapy infusion in a homelike environment, including a kitchenette stocked with drinks and snacks; individual treatment rooms with private baths; televisions; resources about cancer treatment and recovery; and 12 infusion chairs arranged in a semi-circle facing the water. There is plenty of room for staff, families and friends, and volunteers.
While I have learned a lot about which patients benefit and what types of environments work best, the most important thing that I have gained from this experience is the feeling that I am contributing to the cancer cause. I can't describe how amazing it is to watch very ill people learn a new skill, express an instant sense of accomplishment, smile and laugh, and forget how sick they really are, if only for a few minutes!
As a long-time, albeit infrequent knitter I have several projects in the works, and many more planned. Through my local guild and magazines I gather projects and inspiration for me and the patients I work with. One day I hope to have volunteers teaching cancer patients how to knit all over the Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis areas! If you are interested in working with me or starting your own group, please email me at kae0861@friend.ly.net.
Current hospitals I visit: