Hunt Club Takes on Covers for Comfort Project

The following was provided by.

On December 28, 2005, 18-year-old, Katie Widmar, a senior in high school, was told that she had cancer.

Two biopsies later, Katie was informed that she had Hodgkin’s Nodular Sclerosis Lymphoma. The cancer was in her neck, with masses by her heart and near her spine.

Katie went through her cancer journey with grace, and she touched many hearts with her positive attitude. Throughout her treatment, Katie kept a fleece blanket with her, as she was continually cold.  Now Katie and Cindy want to wrap every adult cancer patient in a fleece blanket through their project “Covers of Comfort.” Each year, Katie and Cindy have collected over 200 fleece blankets from friends, church communities, youth groups and those who want to make a difference in a cancer patient’s journey.

In December of 2007, Cindy and Katie gave a fleece blanket to every adult cancer patient at Northwestern Prentice Hospital in Chicago. Again in December of 2008 they visited with and gave blankets to more than 200 patients at Northwestern in Chicago, as well as Finley and Mercy hospitals in Dubuque. December 2009, Iowa City Hospital was added to the list of blanket recipients. Cindy and Katie plan to distribute “Covers of Comfort” fleece blankets every December as Christmas presents for the adult cancer patients undergoing treatment during the holidays.

Wrapping others in ‘comfort’ has become a significant part of Katie’s journey. With great understanding of these patients’ needs, Katie and Cindy continue to spread their message of hope. Their mission, as survivors and caregivers is to offer hope, encouragement, understanding and "warmth" to adults on the cancer journey through the gift of hand tied fleece blankets.

During the month of February, Hunt Club Elementary will work to assist Katie and Cindy in creating “comfort” for adult cancer patients by having each classroom in the school create a fleece tie blanket to be donated to “Covers of Comfort”. 

Currently, the school is seeking donations of 2.5 yard sections of fleece to be used to create the blankets. In addition, we are accepting donations of blankets created by families and community groups.

In March, Katie will share her incredible story of hope with the students of Hunt Club Elementary at a Character Counts! assembly. At that time, members of the Student Council will present Katie and Cindy with the blankets created within our community.

If you have questions, would like additional information, or are interested in creating “comfort” please contact Polly Cullen at pcullen0712@oswego308.org.