This past Friday, I had the honor and privilege to visit with a woman named Peggy Adams from Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.  Peggy works as the Child Life Specialist in the Family Resource Center and is working hard to arrange a program for the parents of children to participate in while their sons and daughters receive treatment.

I reached out to Peggy a couple weeks ago because I thought she might know of some local charities who might benefit from yarn donations.  After speaking with her for a few minutes, she mentioned that she was in the process of starting a knitting and crochet class for the parents of kids at the hospital. In case you don’t already know about Doernbecher, here’s a bit of a background.  Doernbecher Children’s Hospital has been around since 1926 and is one of the only hospitals that will treat children regardless of whether their families have insurance.  It has lead the way in numerous medical advancements over the years and is known for its highly trained doctors and advanced care.  More than anything, Doernbecher is part of the roots that hold our wonderful city of Portland together. When Peggy told me that they in fact needed a donation of yarn, I got to work. 

I’m not sure how much yarn we ended up donating to Doernbecher because, in all of my excitement, I just started throwing everything I could find into boxes.

Now, you may be wondering, what does knitting and crochet have to do with a children’s hospital?  Well, let me tell you.  Many of the parents and families spend hours and hours at the hospital while their children are undergoing therapies, diagnoses, and treatments.  As you tour the hospital grounds, you see the faces of many anxious parents sitting in the lobby.  You can see the struggle in their eyes and the concern that is running through their minds.  Peggy’s class is intended to help provide parents and families with some form of stress relief that will help their minds relax in this most stressful time.  I loved her idea and I just hope that it will provide some sense of calm to these brave parents.  

If you would like to get involved in the classes that Peggy is hosting, she needs your help!  If you are a skilled knitter or crocheter in the Portland area and would be interested in helping to teach a class, please contact Peggy Adams at (503)418-5390.  This is a really beautiful cause and I felt so wondeful to have gotten to be a part of it.  Here at Knit Picks, we are committed to the continuation of support to Doernbecher and as their program grows, we will continue to provide yarn and supplies.   

To find out more about Doernbecher, please visit their site at www.ohsu.edu.