Quilts for Kids Stories & Letters, January 2008

A "Wonderful Surprise" Gives a Hospital Room a "Special Touch"

Lisa Ranzino's 12 year-old daughter Brianna recently underwent a lengthy and dangerous 12 hour operation at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia to remove a tumor from her chest. To comfort her in her ordeal, she received a Quilts for Kids quilt. Her mother took time out in this difficult time to share the following note of thanks:

"Hello!! Just wanted to take a minute to thank you so much for the beautiful quilt that was given to my daughter, Brianna Ranzino, age 12 after arriving at St. Christopher's Hospital in Philadelphia for a very long surgery (12 hours) to remove a tumor from her chest. She absolutely loves it and it gives her hospital room a special touch. She will be hospitalized for a few weeks recovering and clutches her beautiful quilt each day. It will be a beautiful addition to her bedroom when she goes home. What a wonderful surprise it is!!

The name on the quilt is written as "Becky R." The Child Life Specialist at St. Christopher's thought they came from Abington High School. I'm not sure of that information, but I wanted to pass the "thanks" along. Thanks so much for your concern for these sick children...."

Special thanks to "Becky R.," wherever you are....and, a heartfelt reminder to all our quilters, your work does make a difference.

A "Cool Quilt" Made with "Love and Dedication to Detail"

When Stephen Specht's 4 year-old son Stephen Jr. had his second major surgery, he was, understandably, quite upset. A Quilts for Kids quilt was just the thing to make things a bit better. Stephen Sr. shared the following appreciative words:

"My four year old son Stephen was a patient in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, again this past week. For the second time he underwent a major surgery. This time he woke up quickly and really, really cranky (for lack of better words). But his recovery room nurse, Dan, knew just what he needed, a really cool, comfy, quilt, obviously made with love and dedication to detail. I thought it was the greatest thing. It was a neat camper/hunting/fishing theme; we spent the first twenty minutes just looking at all the animals on it. We found squirrels, deer, fish, and bears to name a few. Stephen loves animals! We searched the blanket for animals until he fell peacefully back to sleep.

On the way to the O.R., he had a Curious George Doll, and a Sock Monkey. He came back to his room with his stuffed animals and an awesome new blanket, which all the nurses loved, and made a big deal about. How great that made Stephen feel. He slept with that blanket everyday, and is sleeping with it as I type this e-mail.

He does not understand the effort behind the blanket, but my family and I do, and we are profoundly thankful for you and your organization, and the caring person(s) that gave the time, effort, and LOVE in making this blanket. Thank you from a very grateful dad. You guys are great!"

A Quilt Makes "A World of Difference"

At only 2 years old, James D'Onofrio of New Jersey underwent a difficult craniofacial surgery at Chidren's Hospital of Philadelphia in January 2008. Right after surgery, he received a Quilts for Kids quilt. His mother Linda was touched and wrote the following via e-mail:

"My two-year-old son received a beautiful quilt immediately following his craniofacial surgery at CHOP last Tuesday. It brought him so much comfort and really brightened up his crib - without the quilt, the metal crib looked more like a cage on wheels. The tag says it was made by Lillian. I understand that it may not be possible to thank Lillian directly for the joy she brought my son. So I am emailing you, and I also plan to make a donation to Quilts for Kids in her honor.

Before Tuesday, I had no idea your organization existed. Now, I will tell everyone I know about the wonderful work you do. Please know that we deeply appreciate your generosity - it made a world of difference in James' recovery. He is now very attached to his beautiful quilt, and it made the transition from the hospital to home that much smoother."

She continued, in a handwritten Thank You note:

"The quilt really brightened up his crib AND his spirits. It brought him great comfort and is now his favorite "blankie."...Your organization does God's work bringing joy and comfort to children."

A Quilt "Brightens" the NICU

Another simple but heartfelt Thank You card landed in the Quilts for Kids Mailbag this month. Melissa Hawthorne's newborn daughter was born prematurely and needed to spend some time in the NICU. While there, she received a Quilts for Kids quilt that "brightens up her isolette."