An Ontario woman has donated 25 "Comfort Kits" to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for oncology patients to feel pampered and relaxed.
Allison Stephens from Delaware, ON visited the oncology nurses at CKHA in August to present the kits, which included extra-soft tooth brushes, hypoallergenic hand creams, specialty ginger teas, hand sanitzers, and more.
She says she felt inspired to give back after her close friend Dorothee Osmond, who works at Mount Brydges Animal Clinic, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour and underwent chemotherapy.
"There were so many of us that know Dorothee that wanted to help in a tangible way but didn't really know what to do. I decided to see if I could run a program through their animal clinic [and] put up a poster where people could sponsor a chemo-comfort kit," she explains.
"Comfort Kit" donated to CKHA by Allison Stephens. (Photo provided by Allison Stephens).
Stephens is an independent stylist with the fashion company Stella & Dot and says that's where she asked members of the community and local businesses to order the cosmetics bags from. She then filled the bags with various supplies and goodies purchased by her commissions, as well as items donated by local partners.
She says the project has been a "labour of love," which her friend Dorothee has been helping with.
"We've been thoughtful about having things for nausea like ginger tea and ginger candy. Tissue always seems to be needed, as well as hand santizers. They also tend to have trouble with mouth sores, so we've gotten extra sensitive toothpaste and extra soft tooth brushes," says Stephens.
Stephens has also donated 25 kits each to three other hospitals in Southwestern Ontario, including Woodstock, Sarnia, and Stratford. She says she plans to partner with local organizations to continue replenishing the kits in the future.