"This is awesome," Barb told us as we dropped off 60 hats in two boxes at St. John's Hospital on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. "They're all so cute!"

She told us this was the perfect time of year for a donation of hats at their site.

More about past donations to St. John's here.

When they called us up, we headed straight over with a few huge boxes full of handmade items.

Read about our past donations to St. John's here.

"Oh, look at these beautiful things," stated navigator Diane Vogel as we dropped off 101 hats at St. John's Hospital on Sept. 25, 2017. "Thank you so much!"

She pointed out that they will use the hats at the Look Good, Feel Better events, where they also distribute wigs and scarves for people fighting cancer. "Women love it," Vogel said. They get a chance to try things on and bring them home. The event is offered 6 times a year  (every other month) through the Healthcare system, three times at St. John's and three times at Woodwinds.

Read more about our past donations to St. John's here. 

In late September, HealthEast Cancer Care at St John’s Hospital received a yarn donation and thought of us. (Thanks, Janine for picking it up!) A month later, on Nov. 4, 2016, we dropped off 100 hats.

"Thank you for the wonderful hats you brought to HealthEast Cancer Care today. It makes me so happy to see all of you and to see you continue this great work!" said Beth Forristall,

Cancer Care Navigator.

As happens so often, when we dropped off the bags of items, other staff members came over to check out what was happening. "These are all so individual!" one woman praised. "That's so cute!" another said as she held up a hat. "I love the ones with the pom-poms on tops!"

And our favorite comment: "The patients are going to love these." 

As usual, we had a variety of not just colors but sizes in the box, and the women who looked through them were glad to see some that will fit smaller-sized ladies heads. "We have a lot of Asian women who are very petite," explained a staff member. Those hats will be perfect for them. 

We have donated a few times to St. John's, including in June 2015 and April 2013. Click here to view more about our past donations and learn more about the cancer treatment program at St. John's.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  The hats and shawls are so beautiful and we appreciate the loving care that went into producing each one. 

Beth Forristall, RN, BSN, OCN

Cancer Care Navigator

HealthEast Cancer Care Center

Click here to view details on this donation.

When making our June 16, 2015 delivery to Woodwinds Hospital, we ran into a man in the waiting room who was quite impressed with our boxes overflowing with handmade items.

"That's really special," he told us. "There's a lot of ladies who need them. It will help the ladies a lot."

Wasn't that wonderful to hear?

In all, we donated 85 items to Woodwinds Hospital, during this second visit. (Read about our first visit and learn more about Woodwinds here.) The box included 81 hats and 4 scarves/cowls.

We chatted with Sarah at the desk in their cancer treatment area. "Wow. You guys have been busy!" she observed. "Thanks so much!" She was delighted to receive out donation as their supply of items to give away was very low.

Although it is summer, Sarah noted that cancer patients often sleep with hats on in order to keep their heads warm.

WHAT'S NEW AT WOODWINDS?
The HealthEast Cancer Center offers radiation oncology as a new service in Woodbury to complement the medical oncology and infusion therapy services already provided at this location. The opening of this center means patients in Woodbury and its surrounding communities now have access to the same comprehensive care offered at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood.

On June 16, 2015, we returned to St. John's Hospital in Maplewood to donate 87 items: 81 hats, 2 blankets, 2 scarves/cowls and 2 shawls.

"What a beautiful assortment," stated Beth Forristall. "I can't thank you enough."

Kathy was also impressed with the variety of items we donated. She observed that their patients love these handmade items. When she talks to them later, they remind her about the shawl or hat they received, commenting perhaps on how it goes perfectly with their favorite chair.

St. John’s Hospital is part of the HealthEast Cancer Care Center. Team Yarn member Kelli McCully put us in touch with this hospital, as her father-in-law works there. The site was where we made our fourth donation in May 2013. READ THAT POST HERE.

At that time, we were approaching 400 total items donated. Now, we are nearing 2,000!!