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ConKerr Cancer Blog bio picture

Hi there!

Ryan had cancer.  His Mom, Cindy, couldn't do a thing about it.  In an effort to lift Ryan's spirits during his frequent hospital stays, Cindy Kerr began making a new pillowcase for each hospital visit.  These helped to brighten up the parade of often-drab hospital rooms. 

Of course, Cindy couldn't leave it at that.  Ryan couldn't be the only child to receive the pillowcases, so Cindy began making them for all the children in the oncology ward.  Other wards followed.  ConKerr Cancer was born.

Following ConKerr Cancer's appearance on the Martha Stewart show to receive the 1st annual 'Dreamers and Doers' award, the number of ConKerr Cancer chapters skyrocketed.  Recently, Cindy was honored as the 'Loreal Women of Worth.'  As a result, new domestic and international chapters are taking root at a rapid pace!   

Today, ConKerr Cancer has distributed over 70,000 pillowcases to children with cancer.  Our simple goal, tireless enthusiasm, and the continued support of volunteers the world over allow us to make 'A Case for Smiles.' 

 

San Francisco Sewing and Quilting Collaborative Helps ConKerr Kids

May 6, 2012

Last weekend Linda, owner of the  San Francisco Sewing and Quilting Collaborative  opened up her home and classrooms to Julie, San Francisco coordinator, and  other sewers for an incredible weekend retreat of sewing and fun. She provided walls and walls of bolts of fabric at no charge over 20 sewing machines and even her washer and dryer. Not only did Linda feed everyone for 2 days but she opened up her home
for people to spend the night if they lived outside of SF.

Participants included the SF Quilters Guild , women from Madonna Home, girl scouts and their moms and people from all walks of life.  The star of the weekend was a 93 year volunteer who out-sewed everyone there.  It was amazing. Over 900 pillowcases were sewn with another 100 soon to be finished. “ We had alot of fun and met so many new people. We both want to make this an annual tradition,” said Julie, SF ConKerr coordinator.

“My mission is to educate and provide the skills and joy of quilting to quilters from all walks of life. We collaborate with selected non-profit programs to introduce quilting to low-income individuals by providing all of the necessary equipment and supplies; and then by teaching sewing and quilting skills to their clients. The clients then develop their skills by making quilts and other items for themselves and their families,” states Linda.

Linda and Julie

Linda, we are so thankful for your love and support. You truly are an angel to so many.

Posted in ConKerr News * Coordinator Update * Uncategorized | Tags: * * *

by Cindy

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Karen Decoste - Linda and Julia, What a wonderful weekend you had sound like a lot of fun and you got a lot of pillowcases finish. Take care karenMay 9, 2012 - 6:09 am

Thank You Philly volunteers

April 23, 2012

Dear Cindy,

 Hi, my name is Dina , and my daughter Sage(14), was just recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(ALL)… Immediately, same day to be exact, that she was diagnosed with Leukemia, we were transported to CHOP. After the initial shock of such a diagnosis, we quickly took on the lets do this attitude. Thirteen days into treatment, she is doing extremely well. In the meantime, during our stay, she has received such wonderful kind gifts from people like yourself, and it more than brightens our days. She, and myself as well have decorated her room here on 3East, to feel like home. As we will be here a month, we want to feel at home. Your beautiful pillowcases have added to the decorative and comfortable feeling that makes this time in the hospital so much more bearable.. So we would like to thank you for all you do and the time you take to make us smle… it is more than appreciated.. Thank You again, Dina and Sage

I had the opportunity to meet Sage and sew a pillowcase with her in the hospital. She is an amazing young woman and we are so happy to be able to brighten her room.

Cindy

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by Cindy

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500,000 PIllowcases and Smiles Delivered!

April 17, 2012

 

 

Amazing! Stupendous! Can you imagine?

We have delivered over 500,000 pillowcases, a half a million smiles in 5 short years. I want to shout for joy, hug every volunteer that has made this happen! And, yet, I also want to cry because for every pillowcase I know there is a child in the hospital receiving it.

In each of the past 2 years, volunteers in our 120 chapters have delivered over 100,000 pillowcases to 250 hospitals worldwide. Much of our success is the result of our wonderful regional coordinators. These wonderful women (and men!) work hard to be sure our ConKerr Kids are cared for. Each week they organize dozens of volunteers, drive miles and miles to drop off sites and hospitals, purchase fabric, cut, sew, organize some more. These amazing people dedicate literally hundreds of hours to serve the children and make life easy for our volunteers. And for what? For the joy of bringing smiles to sick children, their families and the hospital staff.

“Hi Everyone; I received a call last Saturday from a mom of one of the children who received one of our pillowcases. Cheryl the mom said her daughter Gracie had been in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital for 4 days and was very ill. (she is all better now.) Gracie was not happy to be there and then one of the nurses brought in a selection of pillowcases for Gracie to choose. Well she loves Curious George and has him all over her room at home. Her mom said it was one of the few times she smiled while in intensive care. She kept it on her pillow all the time and Cheryl could get it off only to wash it. Then she said Gracie wanted to thank me (us). When she got on the phone it was all I could do not to cry. Here was this happy little kid voice telling me how she “wuved” Monkey George and thank you, thank you. Needless to say I have been cutting out more materiel since that call! Thanks to all of you who make this possible. I suspect there are many more Gracie’s out there who have a reason to smile because of a pillowcase filled with love.”
Pat and JoAnn

Pat and Joann, along with their St. Louis volunteers recently delivered their 10,000th pillowcase! “We wuv” you too!

 

While Ryan was the spark, you are the light that continues to touch the lives of the children we serve every day.
How do you thank someone who everyday helps a child and his or her parents smile during the worst moments of their lives? How do you tell them how much their support and friendship has helped you through the loss of your son? How do you repay them for their dedication, love and support of a mission so dear to your heart?

I am still at a loss and might never be able to find the right words. So please know that this simple “thank you” holds more meaning than you will ever know.

With love and appreciation for all of you,

Cindy and Gavin

Posted in ConKerr News | Tags: * *

by Cindy

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Thank You’s from Across the Country

March 11, 2012

Shirlee,

The pillow cases are a big hit, again! It is so fun for us
to hand them out. The kids get such a kick looking through the box and
making their own selection!! It can take a while sometimes, but it is so
much fun! You should see their faces, they love it!You and your team of volunteers are so very much
appreciated. Please make sure they know how much we appreciate them
all!!!! Thanks a mile! Of smiles, that is!!

Doug- Child Life Specialist- Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles

 

Hello Celine and Friends,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the beautiful pillow cases you give us. The children LOVE them! Your pillowcases make many little faces smile, and sleep better! Thank you again, we really appreciate it!

Kathy – Family Services- Children’s Hospital, Milwaukee, WI. 

 

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the pillowcases you have made for the hemotology/oncology unit in Brenner Childrens Hospital. I am the Charge Nurse on the unit and can assure you how much they are loved and appreciated by the staff, patients and families. It is the highlight of our day to be able to give these to our patients! Thank you……Martha Byrd, RN

Marie,
I work as a nurse at Mass General Hospital for Children and just wanted to thank you for all the great pillowcases that you have sent us !  I work as a night nurse and have found so often by just brightening a childs bed with a new color full pillowcase that it puts a smile on their face !  I just had a girl tonight that when I changed her bed and put one of your pillowcases on she told me I ” made her night” .  Just wanted to let you know that your time and effort doesn’t go unnoticed !

Thanks Again
Lisa

 

 

 

 

Posted in Thank You * Uncategorized | Tags: *

by Cindy

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Team Garrison

March 8, 2012

 

Garrison was a 2007 graduate of Belleview High School. A baseball player almost since he could walk, he played football at Belleview and was part of his senior year’s Homecoming Court. Garrison loved life. He was a student at the College of Central Florida, preparing to become … well, something, except he had not quite figured out what interested him enough to devote a lifetime to it. Blessed with an eye for detail, Garrison was a deft cartoonist/caricaturist from an early age. He delighted, however, in making those around him laugh.   

Though Garrison’s body was ravaged by the Ewing Sarcoma that ultimately took his life, cancer never affected his indomitable spirit, zest for life, the gleam in his piercing blue eyes or his smile.   Garrison desperately wanted a cure for Ewing Sarcoma. 

Garrison Alexander Moring (1988 – 2011)

Jolene George went to two ConKerr events in Tampa, and had a great time sewing with the ladies!  Jolene said: “This is such a great cause that I had to work my hardest to contribute what I could.”   TEAM GARRISON is a group of people that loved and wanted to honor Garrison Moring. They helped Jolene buy lots of fabric to make a contribution in his honor. Jolene spent days poring through her stash, shopping and matching, thinking of the smiles Garrison brought to those who loved him, and hoping these pillowcases will pass on some of the smiles.

 

TEAM GARRISON has 128 pillowcases that are being donated to the Tampa Bay Chapter, hospitals that Garrison frequented himself.

Posted in Uncategorized * Volunteers | Tags: * *

by Cindy

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A Note of Thanks for Waverly Junior High- Iowa

March 4, 2012

 

 This is the 3rd year the Waverly Junior High school under the direction of Mrs. Kuhse have sewed pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer.  This year 5 different class periods sewed 180 pillowcases!  Brenda Cummer, Iowa coordinator exclaims, “this is great because ConKerr  Cancer Iowa is going to supply about 400 pillowcases for 3 different camps offered by Children’s Cancer Connection.”  Thank you Mrs. Kuhse and Waverly Junior High for making a difference.

Posted in Volunteers | Tags: * *

by Cindy

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Thank You Charlotte- Coordinator in Tucson

February 27, 2012

“Hello Charlotte,

 I wanted to thank you very much for making and donating the wonderful pillowcase that the nurses at UMC gave my son while he was there. My son is not a cancer patient but he was put on the oncology floor because he needed some special care.  He is only three and yet he’s already had two brain surgeries and appears to be headed to his third.  

 He definitely has no love for hospitals and in all of his many, many  hospital stays, this is the first time he’s gotten a gift.  He has very difficult veins to get an IV in and the pillowcase was his reward  for being such a brave boy while they put the IV in.  He was so proud  and showed it off to everyone who came In the room and still wants it on his bed at home I know it takes time and resources to make the pillowcases so I wanted  you to know how very much this one was appreciated. 

Thank you very  much for making them for the kids.  And seeing my son smile in spite of everything going on was also a huge gift for me.  Thank you.”

A Very Grateful Mom in Tucson

 

Posted in Thank You * Volunteers | Tags: * *

by Cindy

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Sullivan Middle School, Rock Hill, SC.

February 3, 2012

Last semester, Starr Lee’s  6th, 7th and 8th grade class at Sullivan Middle School in Rock Hill, SC made 72 beautiful pillowcases and hand-embroidered every one with a message of hope for ConKerr Cancer. Elizabeth and Mel(ConKerr coordinators)met with her class to  pick up the pillowcases and share ConKerr Cancer’s story. The kids asked lots of questions, shared stories of their own and the local news station came to the school and did a feature story on the  class and the project.

“…Kudos to Ms. Lee for her ConKerr Cancer project,”    A student was beaming at lunch today about the certificate he received for working on this project. What an impact this project made – both on the kids who will receive the pillow cases as well as our kids. He was literally beaming with a cheek to cheek smile, “said the principal for the school.

“Not only does our organization touch the lives of the sick children, they touch the lives of the volunteers who make the cases. I know the joy Mel and I receive on our end and the joy it brings to the kids, but it is refreshing to know that this project was also enjoyed by the students and not “just another school project they had to. Ms. Lee’s choice of projects may have sparked a lifelong love of volunteering and I’m glad she chose our project, ” exclaimed Elizabeth.

Thank you Sullivan Middle School, Ms. Lee and Elizabeth and Mel who brought smiles to  South Carolina in South Carolina.

 

 

Posted in Thank You Thursday * Uncategorized | Tags: * * *

by Cindy

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Sewing Smiles in California with CHA

January 31, 2012

It has been a great couple of days in California at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show.  ConKerr Cancer was chosen as one of the community partners for the show allowing us to spread the word about our mission.

Attendees have the chance to stop by from their busy day of shopping to get somthing for free; smiles and the opportunity to make a pillowcase for a child in the local hospitals.  We are meeting lots of wonderful people from all over the world and many are going back to their state and their businesses excited about partnering with ConKerr. 

It has been wonderful to meet some of the other community partners.  Operation Write Home’s mission is  to support our nation’s armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on ,as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.    Sandy and Leslie are wonderful and I encourage you to visit Operation Write Home and get involved.

Our trip would not be complete without a trip to Disneyland…just down the street.  Thank you CHA for such a great event.

Cindy

 

 

Posted in ConKerr Cancer Travels * Uncategorized | Tags: *

by Cindy

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Susan Bailey - Wow, what a fun ride! Better than Disneyland, as we made pillowcases for Carnival Night at the Convention Center. The other Vendors were very encouraging and helpful in learning to make pillowcase and surprisingly most of them where from other areas across the United States. I am hopeful that we represented you well, as you may have some calls for new volunteers in your area. I think that Cindy will return home and sleep for a week, as she has more energy that all of us, put together!February 1, 2012 - 12:48 pm

More From Kenya

January 20, 2012

Kenyan people walk for miles each day to get from one place to another. Cars are a luxury so the roads are filled with young and old walking.  Motorcycles are prevelant and we often saw things as big as couches being transported on the back. While donkeys pulled carts full of hay and grass it is most often the women who are carrying the large loads on their back. 

The landscape of Kenya is absolutely beautiful and tea and coffee fields are everywhere. Families have crops of corn and kale up and down the major highways.

 

 

 

Kibera, which houses 1 million people, is the biggest slum in Africa and one of the biggest in the world.  The average home is a shack which is about the size of a typical room in an American house (12ft x 10ft).  The shacks are built with mud walls with a corrugated tin roof and a dirt or concrete floor. These shacks often house up to 8 or more people, many sleeping on the floor. 

Water has just recently come to Kibera and is provided to the 1 million residents through only two outlets.  Sewage runs freely in the streets as toilet facilities are nearly non-existent in the community.  Typically, there is just one latrine for 50 families and when full, young boys are given the assignment of emptying them with a bucket and carrying it to the river. It is estimated that between half and two thirds of the population is infected with HIV.

We visited the Nyumbani outreach program that serves over 5,000 children infected with HIV and living in Kibera.  The program provides health care, free HIV drugs and social services support to the children and their families.  Most of the children live with grandparents and relatives having lost their parents to HIV.  Without Nyumbani, they would likely die.

Posted in ConKerr Cancer Travels * Uncategorized | Tags:

by Cindy

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Liz Kerr - It was an honor to be with Cindy while she helped all these children make the colorful pillowcases. The smiles were amazing! Cindy was able to sew and encourage these children while they made their own pillowcases. I was impressed with the gentle teaching that she does with so many excited kids. Cindy is awesome!!January 26, 2012 - 8:30 pm

Natalie Fleischer - Cindy & family...all I can say is, "WOW!" Reading your blog reminds me of how fortunate we are, how things can sometimes turn on a dime, and how important it is to care and do for others. All of us in the ConKerr family are reaching out to make a difference and make the world a little brighter. And, the Kerr family is a shining example of just that! Thank you for what you do, and, what you inspire in others. Welcome home.......Natalie in LVJanuary 21, 2012 - 12:26 am

shirlee walker - It is amazing those things that we take for granted...like a sewer system, running water, clean streets, and growing up with parents. I am sure there is so much more too. Thank you for going to sew pillowcases with these children. For some it may be there prized possession from those people from America. Wow, makes you be truley granteful for the blessings in your life!January 20, 2012 - 8:55 am