I’m excited to share a spotlight post on The Magic Yarn Project, an amazing organization that is bringing more than just wigs to pediatric cancer patients.
Welcome our guest blogger, Holly Christensen.
I have often witnessed the scary and painful world of cancer as an oncology nurse, friend, and family member. I’ve always held my cancer patients very close to my heart. In 2014 upon learning that a friend’s daughter had been diagnosed with cancer and would likely be in the hospital for a while, I began to think of what I could do to help bring some magic and light to this little girl’s life during the trying days that I knew were ahead for her.
Knowing how difficult it would be for her to lose her beautiful blonde curls, I had the idea to make her a Rapunzel yarn wig built on a soft crocheted beanie. My experience in cancer has taught me that chemotherapy often leaves skin too sensitive and tender to tolerate traditional wigs, so this seemed like a whimsical and practical alternative to wearing beanies or scarves. I made her the wig and sent it on its way.
She was overcome with joy.
My friend remarked at how many other little girls in that hospital would love to have such a special gift as it had such an impact on her daughter’s demeanor and happiness during her treatments.
I began to organize what I thought would be a small project creating a few dozen wigs to send to little cancer patients and put up a request on Facebook for yarn donations. Within hours, I was flooded with responses from around the world—mothers who wanted these wigs for their little girls who have cancer, complete strangers who wanted to help by donating money to buy yarn, professionals reaching out and requesting wigs for their hospitals. In mid November, GoFundMe featured our project on their blog and our story quickly went viral and was covered by over 100 internet media sources, magazines, and local news and national news stations.
What started as a small project, has snowballed into something much bigger than I ever expected. Along with co-founder Bree Hitchcock, we have been overwhelmed with the donations and desire to help that has come from all over the world.
The Magic Yarn Project was created to answer the call to bring yarn wigs to little cancer fighters all over the world and to help community members get involved in the Magic Yarn Project.
Since we first began a year ago, we have made and shipped off just over 1,000 wigs to children in 20 countries.
These beautiful wigs are free of charge to families, please click here to send in a request. If you are interested in donating or getting involved with The Magic Yarn Project, learn more at their website, TheMagicYarnProject.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, and YouTube.
Thank you to the founders, Holly Christensen and Bree Hitchcock for touching the lives of so many families across the globe.
