September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to share a story of one amazing mom, Lorraine Tallman and her passion to help others through ComfyCozy’s for Chemo.
Lorraine lost her 13-year-old daughter, Amanda, after a 4 year battle with cancer. Amanda hated that she had to constantly lift her shirt for the doctors, interns and nurses to tend to the chemotherapy port in her chest. Before she passed away she helped design a fun tie-dyed shirt that would provide children with modesty, dignity and comfort, while still allowing access to their port. The Comfycozy for Chemo was born.
The shirts have angled zippers or buttons that allow the front to flap open and provide access to the port. There is an inside pocket for the port, when not in use, so it doesn’t scratch and irritate a patients skin and slits with snaps to manage all the lines coming out of the port. The shirts come in size 6 months to Adult 2XL and come in a variety of tie-dyed patterns. There are short and long sleeved shirts, hoodies, dresses and onesies.
Amanda charged her mother with getting the shirts, free of cost, to all pediatric cancer patients. Lorraine has raised enough money over the past 3 years to give away almost 4,000 shirts! Lorraine is engrained in the community of Phoenix Children’s Hospital and teaches a class there for doctors and nurses called Dignity for the Journey. She also sits on the hospital’s Family Advocacy Council . We are delighted that ProMedica shares Amanda’s dream of keeping children comfortable and providing them dignity in the harsh world of childhood cancer.
ComfyCozy’s are shipped to any patient that does not already have one, connect with us via Facebook or online at Comfycozys.com to receive one. If you would like to sponsor a child or make a donation, click here. If you are interested in volunteering or being added to our mailing list, email Jessie Swygert at J.Swygert@ahras.org.
Be sure to check out Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
1. Sign up for email notifications at ChildLifeMommy.com and leave a comment below.
2. Facebook: Follow Child Life Mommy, leave a comment and tag a friend on the post.
3. Facebook: Follow ComfyCozy’s for Chemo, leave a comment about the #ChildLifeGiveaway.
4. Twitter: Follow, Like and RT the post to @ChildLifeMommy and @ComfyCozy4Chemo
5. Instagram: Follow @ChildLifeMommy and @ComfyCozy4Chemo, Like and Tag a friend in the post.
Good Luck! Winner will be chosen 9/10/15
