Loyola University Health System Says “Thank You” to Volunteers Who Make Comfort Items for Cancer Patients
In a special blessing ceremony Loyola University Health System will say “thank you” to volunteers from local parishes who have donated their time and talents to make comfort items such as hats and blankets for cancer patients at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.
The groups donate all the material and labor to knit, sew, crochet and quilt items that offer comfort during times of physical or emotional illness. As they stitch, they pray for the individual who will receive the gift.
“When facing such a difficult reality as cancer even the littlest things make a big impact,” said Barbara Buturusis, executive director of the cancer center. “Our patients feel connected by prayer to these people. We are so grateful for their love, care and generosity.”
A special blessing will be said over the hands of the volunteers who made the items and a patient recipient will share her story and offer thanks as well. In addition, the Coleman Foundation Image Renewal Center will offer free manicures and hand massages to the volunteers, patients and family members in attendance.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
12:30-1:00 pm
WHERE: Loyola University Medical Center
Lobby of the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
2160 S. First Avenue
Maywood, IL
Loyola University Health System (LUHS) is a member of Trinity Health. Based in the western suburbs of Chicago, LUHS is a quaternary care system with a 61-acre main medical center campus, the 36-acre Gottlieb Memorial Hospital campus and more than 30 primary and specialty care facilities in Cook, Will and DuPage counties. The medical center campus is conveniently located in Maywood, 13 miles west of the Chicago Loop and 8 miles east of Oak Brook, Ill. The heart of the medical center campus, Loyola University Hospital, is a 569-licensed-bed facility. It houses a Level 1 Trauma Center, a Burn Center and the Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center. Also on campus are the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola Outpatient Center, Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine and Loyola Oral Health Center as well as the LUC Stritch School of Medicine, the LUC Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and the Loyola Center for Fitness. Loyola's Gottlieb campus in Melrose Park includes the 264-licensed-bed community hospital, the Professional Office Building housing 150 private practice clinics, the Adult Day Care, the Gottlieb Center for Fitness, Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care and the Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center at Melrose Park.