"Covid Crochet" ~ Threads of Compassion

Charity Shawl

My husband, Alan, died 4 years ago on July 1, 2016 from a rare brain disease called Corticobasal Degeneration. He was in a research study at Mayo Clinic in Cooperation with his doctor at Rush, Chicago. Consequently, he decided to donate his brain to the research upon his death. I think of him as a courageous hero!

The Chief of Pathology at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, worked closely with the local pathologist to preserve his brain within twenty-four hours of his death. Participating with Mayo made Alan's courageous donation helped me see it less as a sacrifice and more like hope that the many fine doctors working for a cure to this dreadful disease will have success sooner because of many patients' contributions.

"Saving lives through organ & tissue donation"

After his death, I heard about the Indiana Donor Network (IDN) through my CGOA Guild chapter. Bonnie, who lost her son, volunteers there and told me about the program. IDN provides shawls to comfort grieving families who have lost, and in-turn, given so someone else could live. Bernat Yarnspirations and patterns are provided to volunteers who make the shawls, either crocheted or knitted.

The first IDN shawl I made in 2017

When I first started making the shawls in 2017, I made my long-list of "To-Do" projects a priority rather than the shawls. I worked on theshawls weekly, though, with my crochet friends at Panera where we are generously given the time to sit & stitch; while waiting on doctors' appointments; or sometimes in-between projects. When Covid hit, I realized that I have nothing but time; so I have focused more time on the shawls, and have made 7 since February.

Charity Shawl #24

Charity Shawl #23

Charity Shawl #22

Charity Scrap Shawl #21

Charity Shawl #20

Corner-to-Corner Charity Shawl # 19-done with CupCake yarn

Charity Shawl #18

Click if you would like to donate for a cure or crochet for a cause. Please be safe and be kind to others: wear you mask everywhere!

Comments

Unknown said…

Gwen. I’m so glad you sent me your blog (again!). I would like to participate in this project of kindness and compassion. Gwen, our friendship is because our hearts know each other. 💕. Rita

January 16, 2021 at 8:01 AM

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