Sep 16, 2009 4:53 pm US/Eastern
Brotherly Love: Pillowcases For Kids' Hospitals
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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After losing her son to cancer, one mother decided there was something she could do to help others. Cindy Kerr's message is creating smiles one case at a time.
CBS
After losing her son to cancer, one mother decided there was something she could do to help others. Cindy Kerr's message is creating smiles one case at a time.
"We all have something to give," says Cindy Kerr of Wayne
She gives a lot. She loads boxes with colorful pillowcases for kids with cancer.
"You walk into the hospital rooms, and even though they try to make them bright, there's nothing like having something that looks like home," said Cindy.
On this particular trip she's dropping off 600 pillowcases at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
Cindy knows what's it's like to have a child in the hospital. When her son Ryan was 12, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. Every time he went to the hospital, she would sew him a new colorful pillowcase—maybe one with race cars, pirates, or animals.
"It was the only thing I knew how to do. I couldn't make him better, but I could hopefully make the hospital room better for him," said Cindy.
Ryan lost his battle with cancer, but Cindy discovered her colorful pillowcases made a difference, not just for Ryan, but other kids, by giving them something to call their own.
Hospital staff say many children show up with nothing from home.
"They're in hospital pajamas. They have no stuffed animals a lot of times," said Melissa Lusk of St. Christopher's. "So that pillowcase, they can hug and love. They can take them home, and give them a little security while they're here."
A little security, and a smile.
"As a parent having gone through this, there's nothing better than seeing your child smile while they are going through this journey," said Cindy.
Hundreds of people around the world are donating their time to sew pillowcases.
You can, too. Click here to find out how to make a pillowcase.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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