Local Kids Pitch In for Breast Cancer Awareness

Ten-year-old Hannah Laney and her friends at the spent Tuesday afternoon stuffing pillows with love and care.

The plush rectangle pillows with colorful patterns are part of community service project by the Gig Harbor branch to benefit local breast cancer patients.

They will later be donated to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Tacoma.

Boys and Girls Club Program Director Heidi Gerling said the pillows would provide support and comfort to women after their breast cancer surgery or mastectomies.

"The demand for the pillows are incredible," said Gerling, whose family has been affected by breast cancer at least in the past three generations.

She said she was a fifth-grader when her mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent mastectomy. Twenty years later, the cancer spread to her other breast, along with brain and colon. Today, Gerling's mother is cancer-free.

But Laney's grandmother wasn't as lucky.

Laney, who recently lost her grandmother from breast cancer, said she felt it's important to support the cause.

So far, the members have made 85 pillows, but Gerling said their goal is to produce about 500 pillows. Gerling said about 50 kids will be participating and hopes to recruit additional help from the senior center.

With staffing and budget constraints, Gerling said the organization is accepting any help from the community.

"We already have the fabric, but we are always looking for volunteers who own sewing machines and can help with the initial sewing of the pillows," said Gerling. She said anyone who can help stuff the pillows is also welcome.

If you would like to volunteer or donate materials, contact Program Director Heidi Gerling at 253-502-4670 or gerlingh@bgcsps.org.