Barbara Johnson

Barbara shared “I began my own service project earlier this year. A close family member who was my age died unexpectedly which made me have a lot of introspection about my life. The message that I kept hearing in my thoughts was “if you build it, they will come”. I wondered “build” what, and who is “they”? I eventually realized that sewing was building, and I was good at it. I began making port pillows to protect chemotherapy patients ports from rubbing on a seat belt. This led me to want to get more creative and I began to make elaborate tote bags with many pockets for patients to have to be able to take personal possessions to infusion sessions. Upon my first donation my local Oncology center asked if I would make drain bags and breast pillows rather than the port pillows (other sewers were already donating). They had an urgent need for the requested items and no one else making them. I made my own patterns and only use quality fabrics. The least I can do is provide something pretty during and fight for life with an ugly cancer as the opponent.

The drain bags to allow mastectomy patients to be able to put their drain lines inside and be portable. Our hospital sends folks home with bags pinned to their shirts. Mine hang across the body like a shoulder bag and are fully lined and washable. I make breast pillows that fit under the armpit because when lymph nodes are removed the area is so sore that patients cannot have anything rubbing. I make tote bags to provide a way to bring personal items to chemotherapy and hopefully give a moment of happiness during a difficult time.

Since my first donation in July 2018, I have donated 26 breast pillows, 63 drain bags, 39 port pillows, and 25 tote bags. I do it as a way to show my gratitude for the health of myself, friends, and family.”