10/06/2021
I doubt a person exists whose life hasn't been touched by a cancer diagnosis in some way-- whether their own or that of a loved one. Every day I hear about the impact such a diagnosis has on individuals, families, and communities at my job in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology department. Same, too, have I seen it grip at both my friends and family.
In the face of a cancer diagnosis many people want to show their support by finding something to make or gift, but find themselves at a loss for what would be best. This is a conundrum I faced when trying to brainstorm how to help a newly-diagnosed friend and it led me to discover port pillows. These little guys have two rows of velcro and can attach to a seatbelt to help provide cushion for a port while driving. Ports are necessary for patients receiving IV chemotherapy, but their positioning means they can be easily irritated and need care to maintain.
If you want to try your hand at one then the page Create to Donate was kind enough to release a simple free sewing pattern for constructing these pillows which can be found here for anyone interested in making their own to gift or donate: https://createtodonate.org/how-to-make-a-chemo-port-pillow/
If you are unable to make you own but know someone who would benefit from the use of a port pillow please reach out to me, I would be happy to help. My friend loves hers and says it is exactly what she needed when traveling.
