Quilts warm bodies — and hearts — of youths with cancer

Quilts offer comfort. When you are sick or weary or feel the weight of life's problems, there's something soothing about wrapping up in a soft and cheerful quilt.

When Jill Cox's daughter died, "someone gave me a quilt, and it meant so much to me." That's why when Cox became president of the Utah Quilt Guild, she decided to launch a service project to make quilts for young cancer victims. Quilts4Cancer, affectionately known as Q4C, was born.

The yearlong challenge wrapped up at this year's Annual Quilt Festival, with some 1,345 quilts turned in.

"When Jill gave us the challenge last year, she asked if we could get 500 quilts. No one thought we could," said Dorothy Gross, who chaired the service project. "But we have had so much support from everyone."

Quilt shops donated and discounted fabric — Elaine's Quilt Block, for example, donated more than 300 kits; all quilters had to do was supply the batting and do the work. Quilt Guild chapters, LDS wards and stakes and other service groups worked on communal projects.

Several Eagle Scout candidates took it on as a project. Tyler Bitner, for example, raised more than $1,200 from the eighth- and ninth-graders at his middle school and then turned in 40 quilts. Kevin Echols also created 15 quilts as his Eagle project.

Quilts had to be 40-by-60 inches or larger; made of cotton, fleece or flannel; and quilted or tied.

"We talked with hospitals, Make-A-Wish and other groups who work with children to see how many quilts they could use," said Gross. What's so nice, she said, is that many of the quilts will stay in the local areas where they were made. And each child gets to keep the quilt and take it home as his or her very own.

Some of the quilts have already been delivered. The Rocky Mountain Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer gave out quilts at its Teen Camp this summer. "Every kid, regardless of their age, took to their quilts with fervor. I know everyone took theirs home as a valuable reminder of their camp experience," wrote executive director Richard Starley in a thank-you letter.

Frank Nilson, director of program services for Make-A-Wish Foundation, wrote a note about a 4-year-old boy who wanted to be a train conductor. "We were so excited when we looked through the quilts to find one that had lots of trains on it! Imagine this boy's excitement when we gave the quilt to him. Your gift of these quilts is another demonstration that our community cares about those in need. Thank you for helping us bring smiles to children and their families. Your quilts will not only keep these kids warm during their trying times, they will also warm their hearts."

Q4C has been everything Cox hoped for, and more. "It's been so nice to see everyone pull together for one cause. It was a wild dream, but we far surpassed it."

"I just bawl when we talk to the kids and see their smiles," added Gross. "They have all been so appreciative."

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